Common Hackberry vs Staghorn Sumac - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Staghorn Sumac

Rhus typhina

Celtis occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Staghorn Sumac
Common Hackberry

Staghorn Sumac is a popular ornamental shrub with red velvet like antlers that produce seeds that provide nice winter interest for landscapers and gardeners.

This low-maintenance plant is a great addition to any garden it is also used in shelterbelts.

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.

Staghorn Sumac Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Flowers: small, green-yellow
Fruit: small, red
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Native to: MB, ON, QC
Other Names: stags horn sumach, velvet sumac
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry