Celtis occidentalis
Zone: 2
Size: 50’ H x 45’ W
The Common Hackberry is a native to Minnesota and simply does not get enough good publicity. Best known as an American Elm replacement, it hasn’t garnered enough credit for its own, great characteristics. As an ecosystem member, Hackberry is extremely valuable. Birds and small mammals relish its small, dark fruits which are mostly pits. These fruits taste similar to raisins, but you would need a ton of them to make a meal. Since they are both persistent and delicious, they produce no significant mess. The Hackberry tree is also a larval host for a variety of butterflies. Extremely adaptable to a wide array of soil and environmental conditions, the Hackberry is truly a tree for the future.
