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Hackberry

Researched by Nathaniel Diienno

A photo of a Hackberry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum.Species: Celtis occidentalis
Common name: Hackberry
Family: Cannabaceae
Clade: Angiosperm

Coordinates: 39.70674925, -75.11626064

Tree Tag: 325 An icon used to show more information.
A tag using this number is placed near the tree.

 

 

The Hackberry tree, Celtis occidentalis, is a member of the Cannabaceae family, which includes Cannabis (hemp) and Humulus (hops). This native tree may seem ordinary, but it has plenty of remarkable features that make it special. One easy trait to spot is its warty, cork-like protuberances or bumps on the bark. Hackberry trees are often used in urban landscaping to buffer wind and soil erosion. Their very deep root systems allow them to absorb a large amount of water and minimize runoff. They also create a secondary metabolite called juglone, which inhibits the growth of competitive trees.

 Hackberry is a deciduous broadleaf tree that sheds its serrated, knifelike leaves annually. Hackberry are angiosperms, or flowering plants, that produce inconspicuous greenish flowers from April to May. The flowers can be male, female, or bisexual, a trait that enables the tree to self-fertilize, cross-fertilize, or utilize wind for pollination. After pollination, seeds are produced, and the tree bears spherical fruit from late summer to mid-fall. During this time, the fruits change from green to dark reddish-purple. Read More

This is an upward view of a hackberry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum.
This is a full view of a hackberry tree with green leaves in the Rowan University Arboretum.
A photo of green leaves of an Hackberry tree.
An images of leaves of a Hackberry tree turning yellow during early autumn.
A photo of Hackberry tree in early spring.
A close up photo showing leaves, berries, and stems of a Hackberry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum.
A photo of Hackberry tree as the branches from the trunk.
A photo of Hackberry tree trunk showing its coarseness.
A photo of Hackberry tree trunk.
A photo of a tree tag on a Hackberry tree in the Rowan University Arboretum.

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Campus Species Map
Researcher’s Biography

 A bio photo of Nathaniel Diienno, Hackberry tree researcher.Nathaniel Diienno

Nathaniel Diienno earned a degree in Biological Sciences in 2023. 

 

Suggested Citation:

Diienno, Nathaniel. (2023, Dec). Hackberry. Rowan University Arboretum. https://arboretum.rowan.edu/trees/hackberry/

Questions to Explore

    • Why is it important to have native plants in your community?
    • The Hackberry Emperor and Tawny Emperor butterflies depend on this tree to complete their life cycle. What other organisms do you think also depend on the Hackberry and why?
    • Why is it important to maintain a ground cover of leaves underneath this tree?
    • What types of birds eat the berries that the Hackberry produces? How does the time of year the berries ripen impact their nutrition?

    References

    Csiszár, Á, Korda, M., Schmidt, D., Šporčić, D., Süle, P., Teleki, B., Tiborcz, V., Zagyvai, G., & Bartha, D. (2013). Allelopathic potential of some invasive plant species occurring in Hungary. Allelopathy Journal, 31(2), 309-318.

    Gucker, Corey L. 2011. Celtis occidentalis. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. | Link   

    Hill, Jason and Castriotta, Abbie. (2021, October 22). Leaf it be – ditch the rake this fall to promote insect populations around your home. Vermont Center for Ecostudies. | Link 

    Skinner, Mark and Wennerberg, Sarah. (2004). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Science. Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Common Hackberry. | Link 

    Missouri Department of Conservation. (n.d.). Hackberry Emperor. Missouri Department of Conservation. | Link 

    Missouri Department of Conservation. (n.d.). Hackberry Psyllids (Hackberry Nipple Gall Makers). Missouri Department of Conservation. | Link    

    Tober, D. A., Duckwitz, W. L., & Jensen, N. K. (2011). Notice of release of prairie harvest germplasm common hackberry: Selected class of natural germplasm. Native Plants Journal, 12(3), 257-261. | Link 

    Tung, G., & Martin, C. E. (2017). Physiological effects of four gall types on leaves of Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) in northeastern Kansas, U.S.A. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 90(4), 304-312. | Link  

     

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