Dwarf hackberry is a flowering, deciduous tree or shrub in the hemp family (Cannabaceae) native, but fairly rare, to the southeastern United States and found in foothills and bluffs, on slopes, in meadows and along streams in open woods in soils with a limestone base. It is considered threatened in Canada and is protected by law. The genus name is the Greek word for the hackberry tree. The species' name is Latin for thin leaf. The tree typically grows 3-14 feet tall and wide with a multi-trunk form and dense compact branches making it appear twiggy. Grow in full sun in amended well-drained sandy to loamy soils. It can grow up to 32 feet tall if trained to a single trunk. It is drought tolerant once established. The insignificant flowers are followed by drupes that mature to orange-pink, stay smooth and are a favorite of wildlife. The dwarf hackberry doesn't produce the corky bumps on the bark or the irregular base of the leaves as the common hackberry does. It will hybridize with the common hackberry if they grow in the same area producing intermediate-sized trees. Use dwarf hackberry as a large shrub or small tree for the many benefits to wildlife. It can be a small shade tree or used as a hedge. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Witches broom, nipple gall, powdery mildew, leaf spot and root rot. Pest include Asian wooly hackberry aphid, Lacebugs and scale
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 36 ft. 0 in. | Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Elliptical; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery; Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are 2-3 inches long and 3/4 to 1.5 inches wide alternate, simple, elliptical, and ovate. They have broad, heavily toothed or smooth margins, and sandpapery texture. They are similar to common hackberry but have slightly narrower leaves and a more symmetrical base. They are cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, while common hackberry usually are not.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Green; Orange; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Irregular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers of the Dwarf Hackberry are insignificant, monecious, occurring either singularly or in small clusters. This species is wind-pollinated and appears to be self-compatible. Blooms from April to May.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Orange; Pink
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The sweet fruit is a berry-like drupe, 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter, consisting of a single stone encased within a thin, sweet mesocarp. From green, it becomes an orange-pink. The outer skin remains smooth with yellow pulp and a sweet flavor. Drupes display from August to October.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
Grey, smooth bark
Stem color
Gray/Silver
Stem detail
The winter buds are brown and hairy, similar to those of other hackberries, but smaller, only 1 to 2 centimeters long. Terminal buds are absent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
United States, eastern Canada
Distribution
AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MO , MS , NC , NJ , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , TX , VA , WV Canada: ON
Wildlife value
This is a larval host plant for several butterflies including American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), and Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) and Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). Questionmark butterflies have an interesting life cycles: overwintered adult Question Mark butterflies lay eggs from spring until the end of May. These will appear as summer adults from May-September, laying eggs that then develop into the winter adult form. The winter adults appear in late August and shelter for the winter starting the cycle all over again. Adult Question Mark butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, and carrion only visiting flowers for feeding when absolutely necessary. Also a host plant for the American Snout, Mourning Cloak and Tawny Emperer. Three species of butterflies feed on the leaves as larvae: Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, and American Snout. Many birds and small mammals eat the fruits.
Attracts
Butterflies; Moths; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Host plant for
several butterflies including American Snout (Libytheana carinenta), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), and Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton) and Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Larval Host
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Drupe
Uses (ethnobotany)
An uncommon native small tree or large shrub is found in locations that include dry uplands, open woodlands and sandy habitats near the shore.