Common Hackberry vs Sessile Oak - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Sessile Oak

Quercus petraea

Celtis occidentalis

Sessile Oak
Common Hackberry

Sessile Oak is a large, long-lived deciduous tree with a wide, rounded crown. It is an important host plant for many pollinators, especially in its native range. Its acorns serve as a valuable food source for birds and small mammals, providing strong ecological value. It differs from many oaks as the leaves grow on longer stalks, whereas the acorns are stalkless. It can live for hundreds of years, with some surviving over 1,000 years in ideal conditions. As it matures, the tree develops a rugged, gnarled structure that provides heavy shade and a distinctive appearance.

More drought-tolerant than other oaks and does not do well in waterlogged or compacted soils.
Native to Europe and is the national tree of Ireland.

Note: Most Oak species can be considered toxic for many animals.

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.

Sessile Oak Quick Facts

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 4a
Zone: 2b
Height: 24 m (80 ft)
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: long
Growth form: rounded to spreading
Spreading: seeds - low
Suckering: high

Toxicity: young leaves and acorns toxic to humans and animals when injested

Fall colour: golden yellow
Berries: black, edible
Nuts: acorns
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: MB, ON, QC
Other Names: cornish oak, durmast oak, irish oak, welsh oak
Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry