Bur Oak vs Common Hackberry - TreeTime.ca

Bur Oak vs Common Hackberry

Celtis occidentalis

Quercus macrocarpa

Common Hackberry
Bur Oak

The Common Hackberry is a medium-sized deciduous tree that resembles the American Elm but is immune to Dutch Elm Disease. They are versatile and can adapt to a variety of growing conditions.

It produces purple-red, berry-like fruit with a large seed in the center. Both the sweet flesh, which tastes similar to dates, and the crunchy seed are edible. The fruit remains on the tree throughout the winter, offering a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.

The Common Hackberry can also be a great addition to a pollinator garden. The tree itself is a host for the larvae of several butterfly species and the flowers provide a source of pollen and nectar.

Bur Oak has a wide distribution but is one of the only oaks that will grow well on the prairies. Bur Oak produces deeply lobed, dark green leaves that turn golden yellow to brown in the fall.

Its acorns are round and half enclosed by a mossy fringed cup.

Although slower growing, this long lived tree eventually becomes a popular large ornamental tree for driveways, parks, and the front of industrial buildings. Popular as a memorial or dedication tree.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Bur Oak Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 2b
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 20 m (66 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 8 m (28 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: low


Fall colour: yellow to golden brown
Berries: black, edible
Nuts: small acorns
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: MB, ON, QC
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NB
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry
Other Names: blue oak, burr oak, mossycup oak, scrub oak