Dwarf hackberry

Leaves

Form

• Smaller, broader, more symmetrical than hackberry
• Alternate in 2 rows along the twig
• Variable in size and shape
• Widest toward the base
• Lowest pair of veins originate at an acute angle just below the base of the blade
• 4 or 5 veins per side

Length

• 3–8 cm

Width

• 1–4 cm

Colour

• Upper surface deep bluish-green
• Lower surface paler

Autumn colour

• Yellow

Margin

• Not toothed on fruiting shoots

Petiole

• Short

Buds

Form

• Ovoid, flattened, pointed
• In 2 rows along the twig, with 5 or more scales in 2 rows
• No true terminal bud; end bud originates as a lateral bud, often bent
• Leaf scars raised, semi-oval, with 3 vein scars

Twigs

Form

• Slender, covered with fine hairs when young
• Pith with cavities separated by transverse partitions, especially at the leaf nodes

Colour

• Reddish becoming grey

Flowers

Form

• Small
• Pollen flowers in small clusters at the base of the new shoot
• Seed flowers single, in the axils of the new leaves
• Wind-pollinated

Colour

• Greenish

Structure

• Monoecious

Fruits

Form

• Smaller than hackberry
• Berry-like, with a pitted stone
• Solitary on slender stalk
• Seed crops abundant most years

Width

• 5–9 mm

Colour

• Orange-brown to brick red

Structure

• Drupe

Bark

Form

• Irregular narrow ridges with distinctive wart-like projections
• Stratified layers in cross-section

Colour

• Grey to light yellowish-brown

Size

Height

• 1–4 m

Maximum age

• 150 years

Tree form

Forest-grown

Crown

• Broad, with ascending arching branches that droop at the tips

Habitat

Site

• A variety of soils

Light tolerance

• Moderately shade-tolerant

Range

Extreme southern Ontario and central North America

COSEWIC Status

Threatened