Common Hackberry vs Japanese Maple - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

Celtis occidentalis

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Japanese Maple
Common Hackberry

Japanese Maple is one of the most popular accent maples. Its long, fingered lobed leaves can be variegated in the summer with lighter shades of green, red, or even purple. Its autumn colour is a brilliant red that is uncommon in most plants, which adds nice contrast to your yard when planted near other trees.


The Japanese Maple is a diverse variety, there are over 1,000 cultivars with different sizes, shapes, and colours.

This species is extremely popular with bonsai enthusiasts.

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.

Japanese Maple Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2b
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: wide, palm-like
Fall colour: bright red to yellow
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: palmate maple, smooth japanese maple
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry