Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Hackberry is one of the toughest native shade trees — it tolerates drought, wind, road salt, alkaline soil and compacted ground. With ash trees lost to the emerald ash borer, towns and homeowners are turning to hackberry for boulevards and yards. Its corky, warty bark is distinctive year-round, and its small fruit feeds birds through winter.
- Type
- Deciduous
- Mature height
- 12–18 m
- Mature spread
- 10–15 m
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Light
- Sun to part shade
- Soil
- Adaptable
Hackberry through the years and seasons
Photos show what this species typically looks like. They are not photos of our own stock.
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Best for
- Tough shade where other trees struggle
- Boulevards and roadside plantings
- Replacing ash trees
- Food for winter birds
Growing tips
- Handles road salt and alkaline soils well.
- Very wind-firm once established.
- Water regularly the first two summers, then it's very drought-tolerant.
Sizes: Typically offered potted and as field-dug trees. Ask for current sizes. We also offer delivery and professional planting.
Where to buy Hackberry near you: our farm is in South Stormont, a short drive from Cornwall and Long Sault. We deliver and plant hackberry across South Stormont, Long Sault, Ingleside, Cornwall, Morrisburg, Williamstown, Lancaster, Alexandria, Chesterville and Winchester and the rest of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.