1. *Netleaf hackberry – Celtis reticulata/ C. laevigata var. reticulata
(SEL-tiss ree-tic-cu-LAY-tuh )
Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)
Native to: Scattered through western N. America from KS and WA to CA. Locally in foothills of
Riverside & San Bernardino Counties, Mojave Desert; usually in bottomlands, washes, ravines,
arroyos or rocky canyons, with scattered individuals in desert shrubland/grassland communities.
Growth characteristics: woody shrub/tress mature height: 10-30+ ft. mature width: 20-30 ft.
Deciduous woody shrub or small tree. Short trunk and open wide spreading crown with crooked
branches forms rounded or weeping shape. Bark gray, cork-like. Leaves simple, dark green with
toothed margin, prominent veins beneath and a sandpapery texture. Moderate to slow growth;
long-lived (at least 100 years). Attractive even in winter, when it loses its leaves.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms March-May. Flowers small, yellow-green, inconspicuous. Fruits are fleshy,
dark red when ripe and sweet. Edible raw or cooked and make nice jelly, syrup or sauces.
Uses in the garden: Mostly used as a water-wise shade tree throughout West. Nice size for yards,
patios. Fine with winter flooding, so a candidate for rain gardens. Excellent habitat plant. Tough
but pleasing appearance: tolerates heat, cold, garden conditions. Leaves/branches for redbrown dye.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shade trees.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nest sites and fruits that persist on tree in winter.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun to part-shade.
Soil Likes well-drained soils; tolerant of alkali soils.
Water Tolerant of wide range but drought-tolerant once establish. Water infrequently, but
deeply, in summer (Water Zone 1-2 or even 2).
Fertilizer Not needed. Fine with light fertilizer.
Other Inorganic or thin organic mulch layer is best.
Management: Prune when young to raise canopy, produce interesting shape. Other than that,
pretty easy to manage. Some fruit drop and leaf drop in fall/winter.
Propagation: from seed: fresh best (120 day cold/moist for stored); slow by cuttings: yes
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 5, 8, 10, 16, 19, 30, 31, 45 3/30/14
* not native to western Los Angeles County, but a CA native © Project SOUND