Dwarf Hackberry
Celtis tenuifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Dwarf Hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
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
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
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.
Common questions
- How much sun does Dwarf Hackberry need?
- Dwarf Hackberry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Dwarf Hackberry bloom?
- Dwarf Hackberry blooms in April and May.
- Where is Dwarf Hackberry native?
- Dwarf Hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 20 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Dwarf Hackberry host?
- Dwarf Hackberry is a larval host plant for Question Mark butterfly and Mourning Cloak butterfly.
- Is Dwarf Hackberry HOA-friendly?
- Dwarf Hackberry is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Dwarf Hackberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz