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Common Hackberry vs Ottawa 3 Rootstock
Celtis occidentalis
Robin crab X Malling 9 ((Malus baccata X Malus sylvestris) x Malling 9)
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
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.
Ottawa 3 Rootstock is the most dwarfing rootstock to come out of the cold-hardy breeding program by the Agricultural Canada Research Station in Ottawa. It produces dwarf to semi-dwarf trees that are 45-55% of standard size. Due to its superior hardiness, it is well adapted to Canadian weather conditions.
It originates from Malling 9 (M.9) and the Robin Crab and is considered more dwarfing than Malling 26 (M.26) and more vigorous than Malling 9. Ottawa 3 Rootstock is very productive and bears fruit early, often requiring structural support when young.