The Celtis (Hackberry) Scored Progression Contest

Better late than never! Your softwood cuttings would be acceptable for year 1 entry to contest.
Great. I have another question. I did some quick research on Hackberry trees in San Saba County, Texas and two options came up. Sugar Hackberry (Celtis laevigata) and Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata). Doing some leaf and habitat research and seeing what Google Photo and Seek say, it looks like Netleaf Hackberry in my best option for what I have. However, I can’t discount a possible hybrid of the two different cultivars since they are both prominent in the area. Is it okay if I can’t isolate the exact cultivar?
 
Yeah, just make note of the two species you think it might be but lets pick the one you feel it most closely resembles for now.
 
Yeah, just make note of the two species you think it might be but lets pick the one you feel it most closely resembles for now.
Sounds good. Right now it looks like Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata). Google photo and Seek both agreed on that one as well. I will go with that. As the leaves mature, I’ll keep checking for changes of confirmation keeping in mind it could be a cross.

Thanks….Im in!

Here are my cutting candidates. They need to grow a bit, but they are growing fast.

IMG_6468.jpeg
 
Sounds good. Right now it looks like Netleaf Hackberry (Celtis reticulata). Google photo and Seek both agreed on that one as well. I will go with that. As the leaves mature, I’ll keep checking for changes of confirmation keeping in mind it could be a cross.

Thanks….Im in!

Here are my cutting candidates. They need to grow a bit, but they are growing fast.

View attachment 607240
just start a thread documenting your progress starting the cuttings onward.
 
Hope everyone is doing well. First year categories will be as follows:

1. Propagation (How well you germinated/propagated your seed)
2. Health (How healthy your tree was/is)
3. Care (How well others judged your care of your tree)
4. Style/Form (Aesthetic judgement)

Each category will be judged on a scale of 1-10 For a total maximum point total of 40pts.

I will create a 1st year scoring thread with a template for others to fill in with their scores and post.

Please provide a final submission for each tree/planting by Dec 1st. Judging will go through Dec 31. I will post final scores early January.

Categories will change slightly for future years. Would love to see more contestants!

Also updated the list of contestants/judges.

Thanks!
 
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Good evening. I posted a new thread for your year 1 submissions. Looking forward to seeing how well everyone has made out! I have pinned the thread to the top of the contest page for easy viewing. The submission posting instructions are there. Thanks!
 
My trees are mostly in just two large containers. Do you want to see two hundred posts containing the same two photos?
 
Pick a few stand out seedlings I guess? Or post one photo of the lot. We'll figure it out.
 
A reminder to please get all your submissions in for year 1 in the submission thread! We currently have a handful but I know others should have some seedlings to submit!!

Some additional Celtis photos from Amy Liang's "Living Art of Bonsai" to hopefully inspire Celtis adoration!

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Since I missed the germination season last year and none of my cuttings worked, I plan to attend the contest next year. After three months of cold stratification in perlite, today I planted several Tourneforttii and Australis seeds in peat. (According to an article I read, this method is supposed to give the best result, I wonder if it will really work)

WhatsApp Görsel 2025-12-04 saat 17.28.06_a01d8888.jpgWhatsApp Görsel 2025-12-04 saat 17.28.05_fa00e9b0.jpgWhatsApp Görsel 2025-12-04 saat 17.28.06_e17ce30e.jpg
 
Since I missed the germination season last year and none of my cuttings worked, I plan to attend the contest next year. After three months of cold stratification in perlite, today I planted several Tourneforttii and Australis seeds in peat. (According to an article I read, this method is supposed to give the best result, I wonder if it will really work)

View attachment 622590View attachment 622591View attachment 622592

Awesome!!! Just remember to create your own thread to track progress!
 
A reminder that the cut off for submission for this 1st year will end tonight!

Naturally this means that year two for the submitted trees will begin 12/8/25 and year one for new starts/seeds/cuttings(softwood or 1st year growth only) will commence for this date as well.

I will have the scoring instructions posted tonight as well. The scoring will be anonymous until final year 1 results are revealed.
 
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