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Celtis tenuifolia is often confused with:
Celtis laevigata Celtis laevigata
Celtis occidentalis Celtis occidentalis
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Tilia americana Tilia americana
Viburnum rufidulum Viburnum rufidulum's flowers close up
Diospyros virginiana Form

Upland Hackberry Celtis tenuifolia

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
SEL-tis ten-yoo-ih-FOH-lee-uh
Description

Dwarf Hackberry is a deciduous tree that may grow 20 to 30 feet tall. The leaves are alternate with a smooth or toothed margin and asymmetrical base. The bark is gray and smooth with small warts. In spring, small, stalked, light green flowers mature. The small tree produces an orange-red to dark purple drupe that matures in the fall. The fruit is edible and sweet to the taste.

Habitat: Xeric to mesic glades, outcrops, barrens, woodlands, often over calcareous substrate

Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Spring, April-May     Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant will not tolerate full shade.

 

Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#native tree#native shrub#sweet fruit#food source#low flammability#NC native#fire resistant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#fruits#food source soft mast fruit
 
Celtis tenuifolia
Form Maryann Debski, J.C. Raulston Arboretum
Celtis tenuifolia
Leaves Maryann Debski, J.C. Raulston Arboretum
Celtis tenuifolia
Fruit Maryann Debski, J.C. Raulston Arboretum
Celtis tenuifolia
Corky bark Maryann Debski, J.C. Raulston Arboretum
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#small tree#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#native tree#native shrub#sweet fruit#food source#low flammability#NC native#fire resistant#Braham Arboretum#larval host plant#food source fall#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#fruits#food source soft mast fruit
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Celtis
    Species:
    tenuifolia
    Family:
    Cannabaceae
    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:
    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.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 36 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    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. Displays from August to October
  • 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. Blooms from April to May.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant 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:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Fire