Celtis australis seeds grow into the Mediterranean hackberry or European nettle tree a long-lived, handsome deciduous tree native to the subtropical biome from the western Mediterranean east through southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Turkey to northern Iran. The epithet australis means ‘southern’, reflecting its distribution in the warmer, southern regions of Europe relative to the deciduous forest zone. One of the most celebrated shade trees of the Mediterranean world, it has been planted in town squares, along streets and in gardens since antiquity some specimens in southern Europe exceed 1,000 years in age. The smooth, pale grey bark becomes furrowed with age; small, sweet, dark red to black berries are produced in autumn. Family Cannabaceae.

Full sun; highly drought-tolerant; adaptable to a very wide range of soils including chalk, clay and rocky ones; pollution-tolerant; one of the best shade trees for hot, dry Mediterranean climates.

• Smooth pale grey bark; small sweet dark red to black berries in autumn; wildlife value
• Some Mediterranean specimens exceed 1,000 years one of Europe’s most long-lived urban trees
• Mediterranean to N. Iran subtropical biome; planted since antiquity for shade
• Highly drought-tolerant; pollution-tolerant; adaptable to chalk, clay and rocky soils
• Full sun; outstanding shade tree for hot dry Mediterranean and warm-temperate gardens

Celtis australis is one of the great Mediterranean shade trees the European nettle tree’s extraordinary longevity, elegant form, tolerance of heat and drought and unbroken history of cultivation since antiquity make it one of the most enduring and irreplaceable trees of the Mediterranean landscape.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.