Hackberry

  • Flowers

    Flowers

  • Bark

    Bark

  • Fruit (Berries)

    Fruit (Berries)

  • Leaves

    Leaves

    Specifications

    • Also known as: Sugarberrry
    • Latin (scientific) name: Celtis laevigata
    • Life expectancy: 100 years
    • Height: 80 feet
    • Special characteristics:

      This is a broad spreading tree with a rounded crown similar to trees in the elm family, to which it belongs. The bark has a number of features ranging from smooth with corky outgrowths to fissured bark that grows thick warty plates. These sharp warty protrusions can cut a tree climber's hands if one is not careful.

    • Annoyance factors:

      The leaves have warts on them. It makes the tree look like it has a disease or is being attacked by some vile insect. It’s not. It’s all part of the plant’s design features.

      The tree produces a moderate amount of dead wood that can stay up for a long period of time.

      This tree does not fare too well during ice loading. The wood is hard, but brittle.

    • Fun Facts:

      The berries are an important food source for birds.

    • Photo Credits:

      Bark: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
      Leaf: Chris Evans, Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, Bugwood.org
      Flowers: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
      Berries: Franklin Bonner, USFS (ret.), Bugwood.org