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Dwarf Hackberry

Celtis tenuifolia

Last reviewed: June 2026

Dwarf Hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia)
Photo: Mason Brock (Masebrock) / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

120"–360" H × 120"–360" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 20 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Dwarf hackberry is a small to medium-sized native tree with a rounded crown and fine-textured foliage. It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in spring followed by small berries that wildlife enjoy. This drought-tolerant tree works well as a shade tree in residential landscapes.

In an HOA neighborhood

Dwarf Hackberry is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

Wildlife value

Host plant for Question Mark butterfly, Mourning Cloak butterfly.

The spring blooms attract bees and beetles for pollination. The berries provide food for birds, and the tree serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae.

Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Does Dwarf Hackberry fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.