Celtis Occidentalis 15 Gal

American Hackberry, Beaverwood, Common Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis

Native to WNC, this is a medium to large sized deciduous shade tree with upright arching branching and a rounded spreading crown. The pleasing, coarse-textured green leaves turn yellow in fall. Winter brings out the unusual, light brown to silver, textured corky bark that eventually turns scaly. These trees are happiest in rich, moist, well-draining soils, as in the wild they prefer living in bottom lands. That said, these trees are noted for their adaptability and resilience. Growth rate is moderate to fast. Under the proper conditions, these trees can live 150-200 years.

Interestingly, these trees can handle significant amounts of wind.

The small orange-red to dark purple fruits are edible and taste like dates. They can be eaten raw, or used in jams and jellies. They are extremely nutritious, containing ample amounts of protein, carbs, and fat, making them a favorite of wildlife.

⭐Recommended to Plant: Celtis occidentalis are listed on the City of Asheville Recommended Species List (2022).

🛡️Naturally Disease Resistant: Immune to Dutch Elm Disease.

🐦Help birds: According to the Audubon Society, planting American Hackberries can help feed and attract: Cardinals, Chickadees, Jays, Mockingbirds, Nuthatches, Blackbirds, New World Sparrows, Thrushes, Vireos, Waxwings, Wood Warblers, Wrens, and more to the garden.

🦋Help butterflies and moths: In NC, American Hackberry plants are the host plants for at least 7 different butterfly species and 57 moth species.

🌞Sunlight: these plants are best in full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight).

🦌Deer resistance: moderately resistant to damage from deer. If your deer are ravenous, protect trees when they are young.

🏙️Tolerant of urban conditions. While rarely used for such purposes, they make excellent street trees.

40-100'T x 40-6-'W.

Zones 3-9, cold hardy down to -40F.

💚Plant Nerd: Multiple Native American tribes have used the fruits as a food source.

According to plantsman Micahel Dirr, "The name Hackberry is a corruption of the Scottish Hagberry which in Britain was the Bird Cherry (Prunus avium)."