Natural History

Hackberry

Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus Species: Celtis occidentalis L.

Bark:
Gray or light brown in color.
Distinctive corky ridges and small wart-like bumps.

Leaves:
Doubly serrate along edges.
Lanceolate in shape.
Base of leaves is asymmetrical and heart-shaped.
Tip has narrow curve, almost like paisley shape.
Slightly rough above.

Flowers:
3 mm wide
Green flowers found at the base of leaves in spring.

Fruits:
Orange-red or purplish berries, each with one seed.
Mature in autumn.
About 1/3 inch in diameter.

Twigs:
Reddish brown, slender, zigzag shape.
Lateral buds are closely pressed to twig.

Habitat:
River valleys and sometimes upland slopes.
Often found on limestone outcrops.

Range:
Ontario to New England, south to Georgia and west to Oklahoma.

Common Uses and Interesting Facts:

Lumber used for furniture, crates and plywood.

Wood is very tough which makes them easily transported, even as large trees.

Highly shade tolerant and prolific stump-spouters if they are cut down at a young age. However, as they mature they lose this ability to sprout.

Susceptible to diseases and fungi but not affected by Dutch elm disease.

Branches often have bushy growths called witches-brooms. These are caused by mites and fungal infections and are named witches-brooms because they look like a witch's magic broom.

Leaves are often infected by gall-producing insects. These form small bumps on the leaves but do not seriously harm the tree.

Sources:

written by Pete Riggs; edited by Bryan Helm, Vanessa Artman

Photo credits: Lauren Howard, Vanessa Artman

Benvie, S.. 2000. Encyclopedia of North American Trees. Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York.

Jackson, M. T. 2004. 101 Trees of Indiana. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN.

Little, E. L. 1998. National Audubon Society field guide to North American trees, eastern region. Knopf Publishers, New York.

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