Small Hackberry, Dwarf hackberry
Celtis tenuifolia

Family: Ulmaceae

What it is like

Celtis tenuifolia is a deciduous Tree growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in April, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 4.5

Where it is found

Dry rocky or gravelly soils in foothills and bluffs. On slopes and along streams in open woods from sea level to 500 metres.

Southeaster N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw. Sweet but thin fleshed. The thin flesh has a sweet, mealy pleasant taste. The fruit is small, up to 10mm in diameter, with a single large seed. The trees often produce large crops of fruit in Britain, but there is so little that is edible on each fruit that it is scarcely worthwhile.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Wood - very tough, pliable, durable. Of no commercial value. The flexible thin shoots are used as walking sticks, the wood is also an excellent fuel.

How it is grown

Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in Britain, they often do not fully ripen their wood when growing in this country and they are then very subject to die-back in winter. This species is very closely related to C. occidentalis, and it is considered to be no more than a sub-species by many authorities. Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps surviving for 1000 years in the wild. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown February/March in a greenhouse. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. occidentalis pumila. (Muhlenb.)Pursh. C. pumila. Pursh.