Common Hackberry vs Chui Lum Tao (CLT) Peach
Celtis occidentalis
Prunus persica Chui Lum Tao
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.
Chui Lum Tao Peach (CLT) is a very cold hardy peach cultivar. The taste and form of these peaches is reported to be similar to the other cold hardy peach varieties. The root system on this variety is known to be more vigorous than most peaches.
This variety is resistant to powdery mildew, but has a shorter window to accept successful budding and chipping. Because it is relatively uniform in height and stem diameter when young, it is easy to work with in orchard production.
This is a favourite choice for those in the BC interior and in Southern Ontario. Many find this rootstock to be both hardy and higher yielding than others. The Chui Lum Tao Peach is considered to be true to seed.