This year, the City of Hamilton, Ontario planted 252
hackberry trees, consisting of common hackberry (Celtis
occidentalis) and the columnar 'Prairie Sentinel'. These
trees perform well in our parks, open spaces, and streets-
capes. Tolerant of dry conditions, the leaves will wilt under
sustained drought, but recover quickly once watered.
The species is very urban tolerant and with its bark
developing into corky ridges with age, it provides
multi-season interest. Fleshy, deep purple drupes
ripen in early autumn and are favoured by birds.
This may lead to some property owners expressing
concern over the resulting seed dispersal.
— Tami Sadonoja, Supervisor Urban
Forestry, Hamilton, Ontario
In our region (greater Columbus, Ohio), hackberry is an
unsung workhorse. It is native here, and in some land-
scapes, very common as a volunteer or as a mature
tree that survived nearby development as neighbor-
hoods rose from fields and forests. Hackberry seems
to thrive without pampering, and it is particularly
common in neighborhoods along the rivers that flank
the east and west borders of Upper Arlington.
Many of these sites feature shallow, alkaline soils over
limestone bedrock, and hackberry tolerates the high soil
pH better than almost any other species. Upper Arlington
Parks & Forestry Supervisor Samantha Simmons has been
a strong proponent for years. She says, "It's about time
that the humble hackberry receives some overdue praise;
too many people overlook its many marvelous qualities!"
— Steve Cothrel, Parks &
Forestry Superintendent, City
of Upper Arlington, Ohio
Hackberry fruit. Photo by Gmihail via Wikimedia Commons
Appressed buds and prominent lenticels
of hackberry. Photo by Michelle Sutton
www.urban-forestry.com 37
Hackberry native range. Public domain
