Description
Northern hackberry is the largest native hackberry, with distinctive warty-ridged bark as it matures. Leaves are 6-9 cm long, with an asymmetrical base and long pointed tip, turning yellow in fall. Single, reddish-purple fruits hang below the leaves and may persist into winter.
It grows commonly in moist bottomlands near rivers and lakes but has proven to be a very adaptable species for dry, windy sites and urban areas.
In a forest, northern hackberry will form a tall, high canopy, but when planted in the open, will grow as wide as tall, so give it ample space.
The Hackberry is host to at least five different species of butterfly (Tawny Emperor, Snout Butterfly, Morning Cloak, Question Mark, Hackberry Emperor), so it is a good choice if you have a pollinator garden. Fruits are attractive to many birds.
| Hackberry Facts and Features | |
| Mature Size | 15 m. (50 ft.) |
| Sun/Shade | Full Sun/Partial shade |
| Moisture | Tolerant of dry periods |
| Soil | Adaptable to all types and wide pH range |
| Flowers | Yes |
| Fruit | Reddish-purple berries |
| Special Features | In a forest, northern hackberry will form a tall, high canopy, but when planted in the open, will grow as wide as tall, so give it ample space. |
