Common Hackberry vs Acute Willow - TreeTime.ca

Common Hackberry vs Acute Willow

Celtis occidentalis

Salix acutifolia

Common Hackberry
Acute Willow

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.

Acute Willow is a very fast growing small tree that can reach growth rates of up to 6 feet per year. It's a great choice for developing a quick, hardy shelterbelt, windbreak, or privacy screen.

Acute Willow will grow multi-stemmed but can be pruned to a single stem for a smaller footprint. It prefers moist areas and requires almost no maintenance.

Willows are important to native pollinators each spring as they have higher amounts of pollen and nectar early each growing season when other food sources are scarce.

Common Hackberry Quick Facts

Acute Willow Quick Facts

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Zone: 2b
Zone: 2a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 7 m (24 ft)
Spread: 11 m (35 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Berries: black, edible
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: late fall to winter
Bark: younger branches are bright brown-red
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: low


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


Other Names: american hackberry, beaverwood, false elm, nettle tree, northern hackberry
Other Names: acute leaf willow, acute leafed willow, long-leaved violet willow, sharp-leaf willow