Celtis reticulata     
Netleaf hackberry   
Ulmaceae Family     

Form: unruly and sprawling when young; with age a large tree with unusual form

nubby bark of Celtis reticulata

Seasonality: deciduous; may retain leaves year round in Tucson
Size: 20-30ft with equal spread
Leaves: simple; rough-textured, 2.5.in long; surface like coarse sandpaper, especially on undersides; top dark green, lighter underneath
Flowers: not ornamental
Fruit: pea-sized berries; green turning orange/red by late summer or fall; much loved by birds
Stems/Trunks: twisted branching habit, "looks like a tangled mess" when young; stems and branches are contorted, growing in all directions; gray bark has distinctive nubby nodules
Range/Origin: southwest US and northern Mexico; elevations of 2500-6000ft; along washes
Hardiness: to 0°F

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• of residential scale
• tolerant of foot traffic around base
• shade
• food for birds

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun
• Water: once established deep and infrequent; once or twice per month; more frequent irrigation will promote faster growth
• Soil: deep; found naturally near perennial rivers
• Propagation: seed, tricky, requires cold treatment; also vegetative cuttings
• Maintenance: low; can be tricky to train young tree into acceptable tree form

NOTES:

Celtis reticulata in Reid Park

aka Western hackberry

Difficult to sell to the public because of its unruly habit when young. Small plants in nurseries do not reveal the true attractive character of the mature tree.

self sows where water is plentiful

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This page was first created August 29, 2001 and last modified March 16, 2006.

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