Hackberry
Hackberry
Botanical Name: Celtis occidentalis L.Family Name: Cannabaceae – Elm familyOrigin: North AmericaThe common hackberry’s scientific name is Celtis occidentalis but she has earned the nickname of “one tough tree.” Its flexible wood was often used for barrel hoops, and many pioneer cabins were equipped with durable hackberry wood flooring. The tree was first cultivated in 1636.
Her nickname “one tough tree” comes from her ability to grow in nearly any environment and condition: acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained, wet and clay soils and she even tolerates salt. She can tolerate flooding and drought, full sun or shade, windy climates and heavy pollution. She survives hot and cold temperatures.
Because her wood is soft, she is not sought for commercial purpose. But her great value is her flexibility. She makes a perfect tree for shade in difficult urban environments and helps prevent erosion and minimize flooding in areas around rivers.
The hackberry’s claim to fame is her benefit to wildlife. She is one of the best trees for providing food and shelter to birds and small animals. She is host to at least five different species of butterflies, notably the rare Hackberry Emperor.
She produces small fruits that turn orangish red to dark purple in the autumn. They attract many birds (especially in the winter), such as cedar waxwings, woodpeckers, mockingbirds, and robins. The leaves provide food for many caterpillars.
Her bark is cork-like with wart-like protuberances. Her wood is light-colored, yellowish gray to light brown with yellow streaks.
Her leaves are distinctly asymmetrical and coarse-textured. With its dense, upright branching system and rounded, spreading crown, the hackberry’s canopy bears a striking resemblance to Einstein’s hair.