Hackberry, or Celtis occidentalis, is a native, deciduous tree naturally found in moist bottomlands, but is highly adaptable to a variety of conditions, from moist and fertile to hot and dry soils. Hackberry is adaptable to a wide pH range (except highly alkaline – greater than pH 8), and is drought, flood, wind and pollution tolerant. This fast grower ultimately reaches 50 to 80 feet tall by 40 to 50 feet wide and forms a rounded to vase-shaped crown. Hackberry’s greatest attribute lies in its wildlife value, serving as a larval host plant for Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, and American Snout butterflies. The sweet fruits are consumed by many birds, including cedar waxwings, woodpeckers, pheasants and quail. Best planted away from sidewalks and driveways as the fruit can be a bit messy.

For more information, visit: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/ST/ST14000.pdf

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