Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Chinese hackberry, Japanese hackberry, Chinese netelbloom, Chinese nettletree

Family: Cannabaceae (Hemp)

Distribution: China; Japan

Habitat: Full sun to shade, moist to dry soil, clay, loam, or sand

Hardiness: -20 - 30 F

Life form: Deciduous tree

Fall color: Yellow

Structure: Round

Average height: 40-65'

Foliage characteristics: Simple, alternate, oval leaves with serrated margins. 2-4" long.

Fruit characteristics: Round drupe, orange, .25" diameter. Ripens in early fall. Edible.

Bark characteristics: Light gray, smooth

Bloom Time: Spring

Description: The Japanese hackberry is a fruiting tree and popular choice for bonsai. When not trained as a bonsai tree, it is very similar to the common hackberry, growing only slightly smaller and having leaves with wavy, toothed margins.