Hackberry Tree
Celtis occidentalis
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Hackberry Tree - #3 Container 3-4 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
| From | To | S&H |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
| $20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
| $50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
| $70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
| $100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
| $130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
| $150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Hackberry Tree highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Growing Zones 3-9
Fast-Growing Hackberry Tree For Shade or Street
- Native Tree Shelters and Feeds Birds
- Fast-Growing, Especially as a Young Tree
- Large-Scale Shade or Street Tree
- Great for Windy Areas
- Beautiful Fall Color
- Produces Small Berries that Feed Birds
- Provides Shelter for Birds
- Urban Tolerant
- Drought Tolerant
- Salt Tolerant
- Easy-Care
If you do a Google search on "best urban trees", Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) should be listed. Although they are native to rich, bottomland soils, Hackberry trees are very tolerant of clay soils, pollution and salt.
They are adaptable to most soil types, including poor soils. Even if your thumb isn’t green, you can grow a Hackberry as a very tough, fast-growing shade tree.
Today’s trends have broadened to include a renewed interest in native trees, edible wildcrafted foods and eco-sensitive landscapes. It’s time to include marvelous trees like Hackberry on the fashionable list.
These valuable trees are native to the Eastern and Midwest United States and have very few issues or problems. Municipalities and parks departments are increasingly using Hackberry as wonderful street trees in biodiverse plantings.
Plant one in your yard for its shade and seasonal interest, especially if you have a place where the soil is too poor for other trees.
Hackberry grows into an expansive shade tree for your yard with a cylindrical shape. This fast-growing, deciduous tree produces edible fruit.
5-inch alternate, green leaves feature yellow undersides and a rare offset base. The pretty leaves turn completely yellow in autumn for a showy accent in your yard.
Hackberry's foliage arrives at the same time as the small spring flowers, giving your tree a vivacious, lime-green appearance. Those flowers will eventually give way to small, edible berries that are dark purple.
The drupes have a somewhat date-like flavor and were traditionally used by Native Americans as a food source. They are a favorite of Cedar Waxwing, and other birds. You better believe they will also treasure the shelter and nesting opportunities Hackberry provides.
Common Hackberry is a wildlife tree, for sure.
The Hackberry's trunk has a distinctive, corky appearance. The ridges and blocky texture adds ornamental interest to the barren winter landscape, as do the tiny berries.
The wood is strong, and not prone to storm damage. It can be used for furniture or other projects.
Native Hackberry is a great way to have an impressive shade tree with ornamental appeal in less time than other large trees would require. The edible fruit sweetens the deal as a fun and useful addition to an already outstanding tree.
Order these long-lived, wind-tolerant, salt-tolerant trees from Nature Hills. They’ll stand up to heat, drought, and pollution. Feel great about your choice, your local birds will certainly be pleased.
How to Use Hackberry Tree in the Landscape
Try Hackberry as a long-lived shade tree. They are very tolerant of open, windy areas like you might find in new neighborhoods or developments, golf courses, parks and for street use.
Diversity of species is always important when developing a new urban forest. Nursery professionals and extension offices often recommend Hackberry.
Use Hackberry as a modern street tree planted 30 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one tree to the center of the next.
Hackberry has remarkable adaptability. Use this tree when you have lawn areas with clay soils and in Rain Gardens to filter runoff from roofs before it flows down the storm sewer.
There is perhaps no better shade tree for wide, open areas. You simply won’t have to fuss with it, just situate it on the south or west of your home. Allow that shade to reduce your energy bills!
Be sure to include Hackberry on Food Forests, in Wildlife Sanctuaries and other bird-friendly landscapes. Plant on the north side of a stand of Chickasaw Plum as a rugged, handsome backdrop.
#ProPlantTips for Care
Grow Hackberries in full sun or partial shade. Careful watering to establish the first season is always important, but they can be grown in wet or dry sites; in poor and clay soils with few problems.
Plant away from a driveway or patio because of its large size and the small, dark fruits that may drop. Hackberries are best when placed in the lawn to the south or west of seating areas. Use them correctly, and join the growing Hackberry Fan Club!
Hackberry trees are an important native species to support birds in your landscape. It is tolerant of most conditions, including drought, wind and urban conditions. Buy yours now!
