Hackberry
Specifications
- Also known as: Sugarberrry
- Latin (scientific) name: Celtis laevigata
- Life expectancy: 100 years
- Height: 80 feet
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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.
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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.
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Fun Facts:
The berries are an important food source for birds.
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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