Upland Hackberry Celtis tenuifolia

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Celtis

  Species:

  tenuifolia

  Life Cycle:

  Woody

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  United States, eastern Canada

  Distribution:

  Mississippi north to Ontario southeast to Connecticut south to FL

  Fire Risk Rating:

  low flammability

  Wildlife Value:

  This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.  Host plant for the American Snout, Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, Hackberry Emperer 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.

  Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):

  fire in the landscape.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Native Plant

  Shrub

  Tree

  Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Growth Rate:

  Slow

  Texture:

  Coarse

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Soil Texture:

  Sand

  NC Region:

  Piedmont

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Orange

  Red/Burgundy

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Berry

  Fruit Length:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Width:

  < 1 inch

  Fruit Description:

  Many birds and small mammals eat the fruits. Drupes, red, orange brown

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  Green

  Orange

  Red/Burgundy

  White

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  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. The 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 a light orange, then a dark red, then purplish-brown. This edible drupe with smooth outer skin and a pulpy yellow inside is relished by small mammals and birds.

• Leaves:

  Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Green

  Leaf Feel:

  Smooth

  Leaf Type:

  Simple

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Alternate

  Leaf Shape:

  Cordate

  Elliptical

  Ovate

  Hairs Present:

  Yes

  Leaf Length:

  < 1 inch

  Leaf Width:

  < 1 inch

  Leaf Description:

  The leaves of the Dwarf Hackberry are alternate, simple, elliptical, and ovate. They have broad, heavily toothed to smooth margins, and sand papery. They are similar to common hackberry (C. occidentalis) but has slightly narrower leaves that are more regularly toothed at the base. Dwarf Hackberry are cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, while common hackberry usually are not. The winter buds are brown and hairy, similar to those of other hackberries, but smaller, only 1 to 2 centimeters long. Terminal buds absent.

• Bark:

  Bark Color:

  Dark Gray

  Bark Description:

  grey smooth with corky ridged bark

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Theme:

  Native Garden

  Attracts:

  Small Mammals

  Specialized Bees

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Fire