Common Hackberry vs Harcourt Apple - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Harcourt Apple

Celtis occidentalis

Malus Harcourt

Common Hackberry
Harcourt Apple

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.

Harcourt Apple is a cold-hardy variety developed by the University of Alberta. In spring, it produces fragrant white blossoms shaded with pink. The medium-sized apples mature from late summer into fall, featuring red-striped skin with greenish-yellow highlights. The fruit is crisp and juicy, with a mild, pleasant flavour. They are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

For fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Apples need to be planted with another Apple or Crab Apple variety.

Note: We do not ship grafted apples to BC due to regulatory restrictions from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Harcourt Apple Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $10.99 - SAVE UP TO 27%
Lowest Price: $52.99 - SAVE UP TO 24%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Fall colour: yellow
Flowers: white with pink
Fruit: slightly striped, bright red
Berries: black, edible
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet
Flavor: juicy, sweet, mild, crisp
Harvest: late fall to winter
Harvest: late august early september
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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