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Common Hackberry vs Siberian Elm
Celtis occidentalis
Ulmus pumila
ONLY AVAILABLE BY CONTRACT GROW
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.
Siberian Elm is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree. It has a similar form to American Elm, but smaller, with a more pyramidal habit and shorter lifespan. It is also more resistant to Dutch Elm disease and is very salt tolerant.
Siberian Elm was grown as shelterbelts in the prairies after the Dustbowl disasters, where its rapid growth and tolerance for drought and cold initially made it a great success. It is an excellent shade tree.
Note: Due to it's increasingly controversial reputation for being invasive in warmer climates, we are no longer planning to grow this species for retail purchase on a regular basis.
Common Hackberry Quick Facts
Siberian Elm Quick Facts
In row spacing: 2.4 - 3 m (8 - 10 ft)