Common Hackberry vs Showy Mountain Ash - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Showy Mountain Ash

Sorbus decora

Celtis occidentalis

Showy Mountain Ash
Common Hackberry

Showy Mountain Ash is a hardy accent tree. It features pretty clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright scarlet berries lasting into winter.

Great for small landscapes, Showy Mountain Ash is adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and it is suitable for average home landscape conditions.

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.

Showy Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 2a
Zone: 2b
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white, showy clusters
Berries: redberries in bunches
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL
Native to: MB, ON, QC
Other Names: dogberry
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry