The Common Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is an extremely hardy, fast-growing deciduous tree praised for its ability to thrive in challenging urban environments, tolerating drought, pollution, and various soil types. This toughness makes it a popular choice for street planting and difficult sites. However, the tree has developed a reputation for being notably “messy,” a concern for homeowners considering it for a residential landscape. The perception of messiness comes from a combination of debris and insect-related residues that accumulate beneath the canopy.
The Primary Source of Mess: Fruit Drop
The most noticeable source of mess comes from the small, fleshy, berry-like fruits, known as drupes, produced by mature female hackberry trees. These tiny fruits ripen in late summer, turning dark purple or black, and drop gradually over an extended period into early winter. When the fruit drops onto hard surfaces, its dark pigmentation can create significant temporary staining on sidewalks, patios, and driveways.
The accumulation of sticky fruit requires regular sweeping or washing to prevent the residue from being tracked inside. The fruit is also very attractive to wildlife, including cedar waxwings and various other songbirds, which feed on the persistent drupes.
The presence of birds inevitably leads to secondary mess in the form of droppings. This bird waste, often containing the dark fruit remnants, contributes to staining on surfaces and vehicles. Since determining the sex of a hackberry is difficult before it matures, planting a standard tree can be a gamble regarding the eventual fruit mess.
Understanding Hackberry Galls and Other Residue
Insect activity is another source of mess, particularly involving psyllids. The Hackberry Nipple Gall is a common aesthetic issue caused by the psyllid species Pachypsylla celtidismamma. These insects cause the tree to form distinctive, wart-like growths on the leaves that protect the developing nymphs.
While the galls are generally harmless to the tree’s health, their bumpy appearance can be unsightly, especially when leaves drop in the fall. A more concerning issue is the sticky substance secreted by other sap-sucking insects, such as Hackberry woolly aphids. This sugary waste product, known as honeydew, rains down from the canopy, leaving surfaces sticky.
The honeydew then serves as a growth medium for a visually unappealing fungus called sooty mold. This mold turns the sticky surfaces black, coating decks, patio furniture, and car finishes. This blackening effect contributes significantly to the tree’s reputation for messiness and can be difficult to remove.
Leaf Litter and General Maintenance
The hackberry tree produces the standard debris associated with any large deciduous species. As an autumn-shedding tree, it drops a substantial volume of leaves that require seasonal raking or blowing. Although the leaves are relatively small and thin, the sheer size of a mature tree means the litter can be extensive.
The tree has a reputation for developing a somewhat brittle wood structure, especially in older specimens, which leads to the shedding of small twigs and branches. This debris contributes to the need for routine cleanup beneath the canopy.
Hackberry is also prone to producing root suckers or basal sprouts, which are small, unwanted shoots emerging from the roots or trunk base. These suckers require regular cutting or pulling to maintain a neat appearance.
Reducing the Mess and Selecting Varieties
The most effective way to manage the mess is through strategic planting location, avoiding areas like swimming pools, driveways, or patios where fruit and honeydew residue will be most problematic. For those planting a new tree, seeking specific cultivars can dramatically reduce the maintenance burden.
Cultivars like ‘Prairie Pride’ are noted for having significantly lower fruit production than the standard species, which lessens staining and bird-attraction issues. This cultivar also possesses a denser canopy and is sometimes described as being more resistant to galls.
For existing trees, cleaning up fallen fruit quickly with a hose or pressure washer can help prevent permanent staining on hard surfaces. Pruning is important for maintaining a strong structure, but it will not prevent fruit or gall formation.