Common Hackberry vs Dahurian Birch - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Dahurian Birch

Betula davurica

Celtis occidentalis

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Dahurian Birch
Common Hackberry

Dahurian Birch is a rare and interesting ornamental with curling bark. This tree is the first to sprout on bare land and is tolerant of dry, gravelly, and infertile soils. Dahurian Birch can grow in industrial areas or exposed land as long as it has full sunlight.

This tree is ideal for landscaping, ornamental, and ecosystem services.

This tree is not well known, but is a favorite of nursery owners across the country.

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.

Dahurian Birch Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 14 m (45 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 7 m (22 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Bark: showy grey brown bark that exfoliates as it ages
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: asian black birch
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry