Desert Hackberry (Celtis pallida, syn. Celtis ehrenbergiana)
The desert hackberry is one of those underrated, only-find-it-in-a-book kind of desert natives that punches above its weight for wildlife value.
Mature Canopy Size
10–15 ft wide, 10–15 ft tall (can be pruned as small tree or left shrubby)
Growth Rate
Moderate — 1–2 ft per year with irrigation
Water Requirements (Minimum vs. Maximum Growth)
Minimum: Very low — thrives with only rainfall once established
For Maximum Growth: Deep watering every 2–3 weeks in summer encourages denser canopy and more fruit
Ecological & Functional Benefits
Critical wildlife plant — berries feed birds and mammals year-round
Provides thorny cover for quail and small desert animals
Drought-adapted, long-lived, and tough under neglect
Edible / Harvest Season / Nutritional Benefits
Yes — berries are edible, though small
Harvest: Fall and winter
Nutritional Value: Sweet pulp high in sugars and fiber, with small hard seed inside
Traditionally eaten fresh or dried by indigenous peoples
Tip: Plant multiple for reliable wildlife and human harvests
Minimum Chill Hours
None — desert native
Maintenance Requirements
Low — can be pruned into single-trunk small tree or maintained as hedge
Little litter; self-sustaining once mature
Thorny or Not?
Yes — small, sharp thorns along branches (part of its value as wildlife cover)
Deciduous or Not?
Semi-evergreen — may drop leaves in cold winters or severe drought
Root System
Deep-rooted and drought-adapted
Non-invasive, generally safe around patios, walls, and fences
Low risk to septic or pools
Best in open planting zones where it can spread naturally
Native Range
Native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts — common in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico, especially in washes and rocky slopes.
Miscellaneous Notes
Extremely hardy — tolerates poor soils, reflected heat, and drought
Often used in wildlife habitat restoration
Can be combined with mesquite, palo verde, and wolfberry for a true desert thicket
Sometimes confused with Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata), which grows larger and prefers riparian areas
Questions about the Desert Hackberry?
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