Photo: Unknown — Public domain · source
Survives zone 6 through 9
Hackberry — thin, sweet, date-like pulp on a hard seed.
- Hardiness
- Zone 6 to 9
- Habit
- Tree
- Edible part
- Seed, Fruit
- Ripens
- Autumn
- Mature size
- Large tree — NOT containerable
- Light
- Full sun to partial
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0 (lime-tolerant)
- Environment
- Mediterranean
- Status
- Both wild and cultivated
- Years to fruit
- 5–8 yrs
- Pollination
- Self-fertile (family default)
Growing guide
Fertilizing. Low feeding needs once established — mature trees rarely require fertilizer; a balanced slow-release feed in spring mainly benefits young, newly planted trees.
How it spreads. Self-seeds readily from bird-dispersed fruit and can turn up as an unwanted volunteer in the wider landscape; fallen fruit can also be a litter nuisance near paving.
Growing tips. Prone to witches' broom (a cosmetic fungal twig deformity, not seriously harmful); as the tree matures, prune back large co-dominant branches early to prevent included bark and weak crotches; otherwise notably tolerant of poor soils and urban conditions once established.