We are following the treatment in the Flora of N. America[], which treats Celtis reticulata as a distinct species. In some treatments however, (such as Beans[]], it is treated as a variety of Celtis laevigata, as Celtis laevigata reticulata (Torr.) Benson

Common Name: Palo Blanco

General Information

Celtis reticulata is a deciduous shrub or a tree with a more or less rounded crown; it usually grows from 2 - 7 metres tall but can vary from 1 - 16 metres. The bole can occasionally reach 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - Washington and Idaho to nebraska, south to California, northern Mexico and Texas

Habitat

On dry hills, often on limestone or basalt, ravine banks, rocky outcrops, and occasionally in sandy soils; at elevations from 300 - 2,300 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Celtis reticulata can be very cold-hardy when growing in hot summer areas, able to tolerate temperatures falling to at least -15°c[]. However, Celtis species generally prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in maritime regions of the temperate zone. In areas with cooler summers the plants often do not fully ripen their wood and are then very subject to die-back in the winter[, , ].
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil[, , ]. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[].
A moderate to slow-growing tree in the wild[].
Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1,000 years[].
Considered by some botanists to be no more than a sub-species of Celtis laevigata[].
The various N. American Celtis species provide an important wildlife habitat, forming thickets that give shelter and fleshy drupes that ripen in autumn, persist after the leaves fall, and supply winter food for birds and mammals[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , , ]. Sweet and fleshy. The fruit can also be made into a jelly or used as a seasoning for savoury foods[]. It can be dried and stored for winter use[]. The reddish-black, orbicular fruit is about 10mm in diameter[], it has a thin flesh with a single large seed[].

Medicinal

The plant has been used in the treatment of indigestion[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Netleaf hackberry can be used to aid in soil stabilization on various types of disturbed sites. Nursery or container stock can be transplanted onto disturbed sites with good results[]

Other Uses

A brown or red dye can be obtained from the leaves and branches[].

The heartwood of N. American Celtis species is a yellowish gray brown to light brown; the sapwood is pale yellow to grayish or greenish yellow. The wood is straight and close-grained, moderately hard, strong in bending, but weak in compression[]. It also has high shock resistance, but lacks stiffness. The wood planes and turns well. It is intermediate in its ability to hold nails and screws. It resists splitting from screws better than from nails; glueing properties are excellent[]. It is used for making furniture, millwork, sporting and athletic goods, boxes and crates, veneer and plywood[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

We have no further specific information for this species, but most species in this genus yield a fine timber; their fibre-rich bark is utilized for the manufacture of ropes and paper; and an oil obtained from the seed is used for making soaps and lubricants[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown late winter/early spring in a greenhouse[, ]. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer[]. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings