Species sugarberry
Green leaves with beige-brown trunk,  beige stems and branches.

sugarberry

Celtis laevigata

The sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a magnificent deciduous tree that will bring beauty to any landscape. As a fast-growing, hardwood tree, it is well suited to brighten up your yard with lush, dense foliage. Its leaves are bright green in summer and yellow/purple in fall, complemented by showy clusters of white flowers in spring. In fall, the sugarberry produces a sweet, edible fruit with a unique flavor. Its strong, wide-spreading roots help to prevent soil erosion and also add great texture to the garden. The sugarberry is an excellent choice for any area due to its striking beauty and hardiness. It's no wonder this tree is an amazing addition to any landscape!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 9

Flowers:

Green Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

purple,black Fruits Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Sugarberry plants should be watered weekly, on average. A thorough soak delivered by soaking the soil around the plant’s roots for 1–2 hours is ideal for mature trees. Younger sugarberry plants need to be watered more frequently, approximately every other day. During hot and dry periods, your sugarberry may need to be watered more frequently. As a rule of thumb, apply the equivalent of 1 inch of water per week for mature plants, either through irrigation or natural rainfall. When watering, make sure that the water penetrates several inches down into the soil, to reach the entire root system. Too much water at 1 time can cause root rot, so let the soil dry somewhat before repeating the process. Avoid fertilizing until your sugarberry is established and healthy. Once established however, a light application of fertilizer in the early spring and late summer can help to promote growth and fruit production.

sunlight

Sunlight is very important to the health and well-being of the sugarberry plant. It prefers full sun, which means it should get 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the hottest times of the year, the plant may need some afternoon shade to protect it from extreme heat and stress. In the winter, the sugarberry can tolerate partial shade and even as little as 3 to 4 hours of sunlight, but its growth and flowering will be diminished. Morning sunlight or east-facing windows are ideal for the sugarberry, as they provide a sheltered, bright environment.

pruning

Sugarberry trees should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pruning during the winter when the tree is dormant allows for more vigorous new growth in the spring. This species of tree is typically pruned to remove dead or diseased branches, and to help maintain its vase-like shape. Young trees should be pruned routinely for the first several years to promote a strong, healthy frame. Avoid removing more than 1-third of the existing live branches during the pruning process. If spent flowers and fruits are observed, pruning those at the same time can also be beneficial.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Celtis laevigata fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

Celtis laevigata, also known as sugarberry, typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Celtis laevigata fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map