Celtis occidentalis

A medium–tall, deciduous tree that originates from the eastern USA. Unlike other Celtis species, it has a relatively thin and upright trunk, but the trunk bark is thick, rough, and unevenly grooved, with an extremely coarse texture like cork. It usually reaches a height of 10–18 meters, and it grows relatively quickly. It is long-lived, and in the ideal conditions of the Mississippi Valley in the US, you can find specimens that have reached a height of 40 m and lifespans up to 150 and even 200 years. The tree is not common in Israel. It can be found in our nursery.

The tree’s canopy is round, and the branches are slightly weeping. Celtis occidentalis flowers in spring immediately after blooming, which, in Israel, occurs relatively late (end of April). The flowers are small, greenish and without horticultural importance. They appear on the tree in drooping clusters at the ends of the branches. The tree’s flowers are divided into three: female, male and bisexual. The small berry-like fruits mature in early fall. During the ripening process, the color of the fruit changes from bright orange-red to dark purple. The fruits contain a round, brown seed. The fruit is enjoyed by birds and other animals. The fruits do not fall easily and remain on the tree for a long time after it sheds its leaves, giving the tree an interesting look for a long time. In fall, the leaves turn an especially spectacular golden yellow. As with all Celtis trees, its fall appearance is more impressive in colder regions. Note that this tree’s fall appearance is the most attractive of all the Celtis trees that are commonly found in Israel. It is very suitable as a boulevard and street tree, and it is very resistant to urban conditions. Celtis occidentalis prefers full sunlight, but it is also suited to partial shade, and it is resistant to wind and frost. It is important to make sure to properly design the tree’s structure from its youth to prevent future breakages.

In the same family: Celtis bungeana | Celtis australis |Celtis sinensis | Celtis africana | Celtis occidentalis | Zelkova serrata