Common Name : Hackberry

Latin Name : Celtis occidentalis

Description : Hackberry are a solid, hardy and attractive tree for our area. As the hackberry matures, the tree develops an elegant shape. The trunk quickly forms an attractive, corky bark which becomes deeply grooved when the tree is quite young. In our area, hackberry are not troubled by any major insect or disease problems, and do perfectly well in alkaline soilsfg. Hackberry should be planted more often.

Perhaps the main reason hackberry are not planted more often around here is the difficulty the tree often has leafing out in their first season after planting. The leaf buds of the hackberry are deeply embedded in the bark, and a newly planted tree sometimes isn’t able to “break bud,” that is, it is unable to force the buds to open. If the tree is completely unable to break bud, it dies. If it is only partially able to break bud, the tree will have leaves here and there and will not look attractive.

Once a hackberry tree is established, breaking bud does not seem to be a problem. The harsh winter temperatures seem to soften the bark enough so the tree has no trouble leafing out come spring.