Common Hackberry is a deciduous tree with upright and arching branches and elm-like foliage. It has thick, knobby bark. It creates a broad canopy which offers moderate shade in spring and summer. The leaves are bright green, oval, and 2 to 5 inches long with finely toothed edges; yellow fall color. Small, round seed brown to purple in color; matures in September to October and relished by birds. Tolerates urban air pollution. Grows 40 to 50 feet tall and as wide.
Prefers rich, moist soils, but grows in dry, heavy, sandy, or rocky soils. Withstands alkaline soils and windy sites.
For smaller sites or spaces, consider planting Celtis reticulata, Netleaf Hackberry. A Utah native, this tough tree grows between 20 and 30 feet tall 15 to 20 feet wide.