Common Hackberry vs Mayday Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Mayday Cherry

Prunus padus

Celtis occidentalis

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Mayday Cherry
Common Hackberry

Mayday Cherry is a small deciduous tree known for its early blooming and fragrant white flowers.

A favourite specimen tree on prairie homesteads, Mayday Cherry produces small black berries that are inedible to people but highly desirable to birds.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Mayday Cherry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

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.

Mayday Cherry Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2b
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: small black berries
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Flowers: early blooming, white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high



Toxicity: seeds and leaves are toxic if ingested

Other Names: common bird cherry, european bird cherry
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry