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| Celtis occidentalis
Common hackberryCulture: Culture: This extremely adaptable tree is tolerant of a broad range of conditions from sandy to clay soils and acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It is also tolerant of urban conditions including soil compaction, air pollution and occasional flooding. The production of large quantities of seed ultimately results in many volunteer plants growing through other adjacent plantings. The Common hackberry is susceptible to a variety of insect and disease problems, however, these problems fall mostly in the category of nuisance problems and do not threaten the life of the tree. Witches' broom (caused by a combination of powdery mildew, a mite and a mycoplasma), nipple gall and mite infestations are all possible and reasonably common. Most consumers will readily notice the presence of nipple galls on the leaves but may not notice the other problems. The psyllid insects that cause the leaf nipple galls can be an annoying nuisance in the fall of the year as adults fly and seek residence in nearby homes. This species tends to readily seed into surrounding areas. Usage: This species is widely used as a large shade tree in parks and home landscapes because of its cultural adaptability and relatively rapid growth rate. |
