Celtis occidentalis

RHS Plant Profile
common hackberry

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Other common names

American false elm, American hackberry, beaver wood, hackberry, nettle tree, rim ash, sugarberry, sugarberry tree

Trees
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A large, spreading, deciduous tree to a height of 20m with dark green lance-shaped leaves. Greenish flowers in spring are followed by small sweet, edible fruits that mature from orange-red to dark purple. Autumn colour is a very striking yellow.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cannabaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
A genus of 60-70 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs to medium-sized trees with serrated green foliage and clusters of small, greenish-white flowers which appear in the spring
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

In cool climates such as the UK, needs a warm site with well-drained soil in a sunny position. In warmer climates, grow in deep fertile soil in partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free