Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants
A comprehensive database of Tennessee native plants
Dwarf Hackberry, Small Sugar Hackberry
Dwarf Hackberry, Small Sugar HackberryCeltis tenuifolia (C. georgiana)Full sun; medium to dry moisture level; tolerates a wide range of soils including loamy, rocky, sandy, and clay; neutral to alkaline pH.12-25 feet height by 8-15 feet spread; greenish-white flowers in spring; purplish-brown, fleshy fruit, 1/8 – ¼ inch, in fall containing a single, hard stone that encloses a seed.Growth Rate: Slow to mediumMaintenance: Susceptible to witches’ broom, caused by a small mite, which can be significantly disfiguring but not fatal.Propagation: Seed germination code C (60-90) at 41 degrees F.Native Region: Primarily in Middle and East Tennessee and concentrated in the Blue Ridge and Cumberland Plateau provincesUncommon to rare, small tree of rocky habitats. High drought tolerance. Fruit attracts birds.tree;sun;medium;clay |
 Photo Courtesy Karan Rawlins, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org  Photo Courtesy Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org  Photo Courtesy Paul Wray, Iowa State University, Bugwood.org |
Tennessee Smart Yards Native Plants 
I bought this tree in a one quart pot in 2011 from a mail-order nursery. I planted the little thing in mostly clay in a low part of my yard in full sun, and basically just left it alone except for extra watering in the first year. It is a tough, easy-to-grow tree. It had tripled in size by fall. Now it is about 8-10 feet tall and developing a nice shape. It has required no extra care. I didn’t have room for the full-sized hackberry so this is a really nice option. I believe it is kind of hard to find, but I found it at Pine Ridge Gardens in Arkansas.