Common Hackberry vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Thunderchild Flowering Crab

Malus x adstringens Thunderchild

Celtis occidentalis

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Thunderchild Flowering Crab
Common Hackberry

Thunderchild Flowering Crab is a hybrid crab apple known for its attractive and fragrant dark pink blossoms and deep purple mature leaves.

Tree farmers will find this hybrid appealing as a pollinator for other apples, while home growers will enjoy the red pome's ability to attract flocks of Cedar Waxwings in the early spring.

This species is reportedly resistant to fireblight.

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.

Thunderchild Flowering Crab Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2b
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: dark purple leaves
Fall colour: dark red
Flowers: dark pink blossoms
Fruit: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: small red pomes that hang through the winter
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry