Small Hackberry Celtis tenuifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Celtis pumila
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEL-tis ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-uh
- Description
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Dwarf hackberry is a flowering, deciduous tree or shrub in the hemp family (Cannabaceae) native, but fairly rare, to the southeastern United States and found in foothills and bluffs, on slopes, in meadows and along streams in open woods in soils with a limestone base. It is considered threatened in Canada and is protected by law. The genus name is the Greek word for the hackberry tree. The species' name is Latin for thin leaf.
The tree typically grows 3-14 feet tall and wide with a multi-trunk form and dense compact branches making it appear twiggy. Grow in full sun in amended well-drained sandy to loamy soils. It can grow up to 32 feet tall if trained to a single trunk. It is drought tolerant once established.
The insignificant flowers are followed by drupes that mature to orange-pink, stay smooth and are a favorite of wildlife. The dwarf hackberry doesn't produce the corky bumps on the bark or the irregular base of the leaves as the common hackberry does. It will hybridize with the common hackberry if they grow in the same area producing intermediate-sized trees.
Use dwarf hackberry as a large shrub or small tree for the many benefits to wildlife. It can be a small shade tree or used as a hedge.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Witches broom, nipple gall, powdery mildew, leaf spot and root rot. Pest include Asian wooly hackberry aphid, Lacebugs and scale
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Celtis
- Species:
- tenuifolia
- Family:
- Cannabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- An uncommon native small tree or large shrub is found in locations that include dry uplands, open woodlands and sandy habitats near the shore.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- United States, eastern Canada
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV Canada: ON
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- This is a larval host plant for several butterflies including American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), and Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) and Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). Questionmark butterflies have an interesting life cycles: overwintered adult Question Mark butterflies lay eggs from spring until the end of May. These will appear as summer adults from May-September, laying eggs that then develop into the winter adult form. The winter adults appear in late August and shelter for the winter starting the cycle all over again. Adult Question Mark butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, and carrion only visiting flowers for feeding when absolutely necessary. Also a host plant for the American Snout, Mourning Cloak and Tawny Emperer. Three species of butterflies feed on the leaves as larvae: Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, and American Snout. Many birds and small mammals eat the fruits.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 36 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Pink
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The sweet fruit is a berry-like drupe, 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter, consisting of a single stone encased within a thin, sweet mesocarp. From green, it becomes an orange-pink. The outer skin remains smooth with yellow pulp and a sweet flavor. Drupes display from August to October.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers of the Dwarf Hackberry are insignificant, monecious, occurring either singularly or in small clusters. This species is wind-pollinated and appears to be self-compatible. Blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are 2-3 inches long and 3/4 to 1.5 inches wide alternate, simple, elliptical, and ovate. They have broad, heavily toothed or smooth margins, and sandpapery texture. They are similar to common hackberry but have slightly narrower leaves and a more symmetrical base. They are cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, while common hackberry usually are not.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Grey, smooth bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- The winter buds are brown and hairy, similar to those of other hackberries, but smaller, only 1 to 2 centimeters long. Terminal buds are absent.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Flowering Tree
- Shade Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
