SafePlants

Dwarf Hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia)

The Dwarf Hackberry, scientifically known as Celtis tenuifolia, is a shrub or small tree found in specific regions of North America.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a shrub or small tree with stiff twigs.
• Berries are produced; these may be of interest to animals.

Considerations for Children

• This plant is a shrub or small tree with stiff twigs.
• Berries are produced; these may be of interest to children.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Celtis tenuifolia Nutt.
• Family: Ulmaceae (Elm Family) or, according to some sources, Celtidaceae.
• Synonyms:
  • Celtis pumila Pursh
  • Celtis georgiana Small
  • Celtis occidentalis Linnaeus var. georgiana (Small) Ahles
  • Celtis pumila Pursh var. georgiana (Small)
• Common Names: Dwarf Hackberry, Georgia Hackberry, Small Hackberry, Small Sugar Hackberry, Upland Hackberry.
• French Name: Micocoulier rabougri

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to eastern North America.
• Specifically found in dry, gravelly places, including southeast Texas.
• Often located in rocky habitats, most commonly over basic rock.
• Uncommon to rare in some regions, such as southwestern Ontario.

Morphological Characteristics

• A deciduous tree or shrub, typically growing 1 to 4 meters (3 to 13 feet) high, but can reach up to 10-12 meters (32-39 feet) on occasion.
• Bark is light grey.
• Leaves resemble those of the Northern Hackberry (C. occidentalis), but are shorter. Leaves are alternate, simple, ovate, 1 to 4 inches long, serrated only near the tip or not at all, pinnately veined.
• Flowers in April; seeds ripen in October.
• The tree has an irregular and asymmetrical form with many stiff, twisted, and intergrown branches. The trunk is often divided.
• Small, orange berries that help distinguish it from the bluish berries of the Common Hackberry.

Ecological Role and Interactions

• Serves as a host plant for several moth and butterfly species.
• Many insects, including a rare beetle, rely on the Dwarf Hackberry.

Quirky Facts

• In Kalamazoo County, MI, you can find the three tallest Dwarf Hackberry trees in the state.
• One Dwarf Hackberry in Ohio was recognized as the largest known tree of its species in 2005 by American Forests.

Further Information

• Leafsnap is an electronic field guide with images of the leaf, flower, fruit, seed, petiole, bark, and tree.
• Encyclopedia of Life contains information about the Dwarf Hackberry, including its distribution.
• TERMIUM is the Government of Canada\'s terminology and linguistic data bank.