Hackberry Care
Celtis occidentalis
A deciduous tree of North American origin, very tolerant of drought, heat and calcareous soils. Its adaptation to difficult urban conditions is excellent; although not as much as native hackberry species, it is drought tolerant and benefits from summer watering.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required; winter precipitation is sufficient. Only very young plants (1-2 years old) may be watered once a month during long dry periods.
- Pruning: Not needed. The end of the month is the best time for the main pruning.
- General care: Check the supports of young trees.
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
- General care: This is a suitable month for planting.
- Pests & diseases: If witches' broom (dense tangles of branches) forms and is aesthetically bothersome, it can be pruned out.
- Watering: Not required, spring rainfall is sufficient. Only newly planted saplings should be watered every 15-20 days.
- Fertilizing: Not needed. It is not particular about soil.
- Pruning: Pruning should be finished at the beginning of this month.
- General care: Mulch around young trees for summer can be carried out.
- Pests & diseases: Wart-like galls (hackberry nipple gall) may be seen on the leaves, but they are harmless and require no intervention.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water young trees every 15 days.
- General care: New shoots lengthen.
- Pests & diseases: Aphids or powdery mildew may be seen but generally do not cause problems.
- Watering: Water young trees every 10-15 days. Mature trees benefit from deep watering once a month (60-80 L per tree).
- General care: The trunk bark becomes more prominent and its shade deepens.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: The tree tolerates summer heat, but watering helps it stay healthier.
- Pests & diseases: Water stress can cause drying at the leaf edges.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: Its small green fruits continue to grow.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
- General care: The fruits begin to ripen.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: Its small, sweet fruits ripen (turning dark purple) and attract birds. This is the best time of year to plant a new privet seedling.
- Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow and fall. The fruits may still be on the branches.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Fertilizing: G is not required.
- General care: The tree is in full dormancy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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