Common Hackberry vs Red Maple - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Red Maple

Celtis occidentalis

Acer rubrum

Common Hackberry
Red Maple

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.

Red Maple is a beautiful deciduous tree that blooms with small red flowers in the spring. It is one of the first trees to change colour in the fall, turning a brilliant reddish-orange colour. It is one of the most common and widespread maples in North America.

Red Maple is a great choice for parks and large gardens where there is ample room for its root system.

Important note: Red Maple leaves are toxic to horses if ingested in quantity.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Red Maple Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 15 m (49 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


In row spacing: 2.4 - 4 m (8 - 12 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Toxicity: wilted leaves toxic to horses
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry
Other Names: soft maple, swamp maple, water maple