Common Hackberry vs White Birch (Paper Birch) - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs White Birch (Paper Birch)

Celtis occidentalis

Betula papyrifera

Common Hackberry
White Birch (Paper Birch)

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.

White Birch is a large, attractive deciduous tree. This fast-growing, cold hardy species has distinctive white papery bark that peels in layers, making it a beautiful ornamental or accent tree. White Birch also makes great firewood.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

White Birch (Paper Birch) Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 2a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 18 m (60 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Bark: white, papery, peeling
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: none




Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry
Other Names: american white birch, canoe birch, paper birch