Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis, Tree Seeds

Hardy, Adaptable, Easy to Grow, Fast Growth, Bonsai, Edible Fruit, Fall Color, Attracts Birds and Butterflies, Wildlife Food/Shelter, Shade Tree, Street Tree, Cold, Heat, Drought, Salt, Urban and Wind Tolerant

Native to North America the Hackberry is a deciduous tree that grows 40 to 60 feet tall with upright, arching branches and a rounded crown. Mature gray bark has corky ridges and warty texture with trunk diameters from 1 to 3 feet. The leaves are glossy to dull green, ovate to oblong-ovate and 2 to 5 inches long. Leaves turn yellow in the fall. The green, monoecious flowers are small and inconspicuous, blooming in spring with male flowers in clusters and female flowers solitary. Female flowers are followed by small, edible, round drupes that mature to a deep purple. The fruit is somewhat sweet and contains one seed. The fruit attracts birds and other wildlife. The Hackberry is a fast growing, superior shade tree that withstands heat, drought, wind, urban conditions and alkaline soils. It is among the best food and shelter plants for wildlife.

Native Americans made cakes by pulverizing the entire fruit, including the seed, making a nutritious food that could be stored. They used the dried fruit as a spice and used Hackberry extracts medicinally, for sore throats, colds, regulation of menstrual periods.

The wood, heavy but soft and is of limited commercial importance. It is used in inexpensive furniture where a light-colored wood is desired. Good grades of Hackberry wood are used for furniture, millwork, and some athletic equipment. Poor grades are used for crates and boxes.

For live plants, we can't send them to Alaska and Hawaii. If the order has already been placed, we will cancel it.

Happy Gardening!