hackberry interesting facts
Hackberry is adaptable to rocky, compacted or dry soil. Hackberry has rounded crown and slender branches. Hackberry tree develops ovate or lanceolate leaves. Hackberry – Sturdy Shade Plus Some Surprises Maybe you have heard of the Hackberry tree, but never thought of it as a food source. They are found in an array of colors ranging from green to red and at times a gorgeous dark purple, attracting many birds and animals to gorge on them. Hackberry tree produces drooping branches. Narrow, cylindrical crown can be seen in the forests. The hackberry produces small, dark-red berries that turn purple as they mature. Fruit can be consumed fresh or in the form of jam. Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, Hackberry Emperor, Comma, Snout, and Tawny Emperor butterflies host on this tree. The Hackberry tree is one of the 100 most common trees in the United States. Requires full sun and moderate watering. They have asymmetric base, pointed tips and serrated edges. There are 60 to 70 species of hackberry that can be found in temperate climate around the world. Hackberry has rounded crown and slender branches. Because of its prevalence across the United States, the hackberry is known by many different names such as sugarberry, beaverwood and nettletree. The common hackberry tree is a tall tree averaging 30-50 feet tall. Hackberry is adaptable to rocky, compacted or dry soil. Hackberry tree blooms from April to May. Though the fruit is quite thin and usually dry, the taste of the berries is said to be similar to dates. The hackberry is a great tree to attract birds and other animals who love to feed off the fruits both in the tree and on the forest floor. Native Americans consumed fruit of hackberry tree in the form of porridge (mixed with corn and animal fat) and used it as a flavoring agent. Deer feed on foliage, while birds and small mammals like to eat fruit. It can survive in a multitude of climates and weather conditions. For this reason, it … Ripe fruit is available in September and October and it can be recognized by dark purple color and sweet, dates-like taste. Flowers are rich source of nectar which attracts bees, main pollinators of this plant. In fact, the Native Americans crushed these berries in order to extract their flavor to add to their animal fats, corn, and other foods. Hackberry is a host for six different species of butterflies. It prefers moist and bottomland soils. Scientists once included Celtis species in the elm family (Ulmaceae) and then placed them into their own family called Celtidaceae, before they were placed in their current classification as a member of the hemp family (Cannabaceae). Fruit of hackberry tree is pea-sized drupe that looks like berry. It is most often used as firewood though it is occasionally used for inexpensive furniture construction. Hackberry grows best on moist alluvial soils, and occurs only as scattered trees mixed with other hardwoods. Humans can enjoy the … Native Americans used the hackberry as a source of food, for medicinal purposes, and for special ceremonies. Rarely found in pure stands, the hackberry is usually found in mixed deciduous forests. The fruit of the hackberry is popular with winter birds, especially the cedar waxwing, mockingbird, and robin. Shape of the crown depends on the habitat. This tree provides shade, controls erosion and windbreak. Time zone: Mountain (MST): UTC minus 7 hours. Hackberry tree usually grows 30 to 50 feet in height, but it can reach 100 feet under optimal conditions. Hackberry tree is important source of food for the forest animals. Hackberry tree, also known as sugarberry, is deciduous tree that belongs to the hemp family. There are around 60 to 70 species of Celtis found in temperate regions around the world. The hackberry is a tolerant species that can grow in a range of environmental and soil conditions making it a useful tree for municipalities and private land owners across the country. While the hackberry is not an economically important tree, it is useful in areas around rivers to help prevent erosion and minimize risk from flooding. The history and nutrition of this genus is the most interesting of all to me. The hackberry produces small, pea-sized berries that change from light orange to dark purple in color when ripe in early fall. Hackberry, any of several trees of the genus Celtis, with about 70 species in the hemp family (Cannabaceae), that are valued for their wood or for ornamental qualities. Hackberry tree can survive from 150 to 200 years in the wild. As if bird life itself is not enough entertainment, Desert Hackberry also supports a host of insect life including two interesting butterflies: Leilia Hackberry (Asterocampa leilia) and the American Snout (Libytheana bachmanii).Both species are orange as adults, but begin life as tiny green caterpillars that exactly match the Desert Hackberry’s leaves. Inside is a pit, that when scraped clean, reveals an interesting net-like pattern. Soil – best in damp to wet but will grow in dry soil Not tolerant of … The bark of the tree was boiled down and used medicinally to induce abortions, regulate menstrual cycles, and cure venereal diseases. Hackberry is a medium to large-sized tree growing to heights from 20 to 90 feet, depending upon the growing conditions. Back Print results Print PDF (299 KB) Population 68 (2010). Hackberry trees have a light yellow colored wood with a coarse grain. The hackberry is also amenable to bonsai cultivation. Hackberry tree is often planted on the river banks to prevent flooding and erosion of soil. Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, Hackberry Emperor, Comma, Snout, and Tawny Emperor butterflies host on this tree. Possessing a soft wood comparable to elm and white ash, the hackberry is not particularly valued for commercial purposes. This tree provides shade, controls erosion and windbreak. The hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis) is a common deciduous tree with a few uncommon traits. In fact, the hackberry relies on animals to eat the fruits and disperse its seeds in order to reproduce. Interesting Facts. In fact, the hackberry relies on animals to eat the fruits and disperse its seeds in order to reproduce. Hackberry is a member of elm family which is the versatile shade trees. Some common varieties of Hackberry are: Green Cascade, Prairie Sentinel, Prairie Pride and Magnifica. The hackberry is a great tree to attract birds and other animals who love to feed off the fruits both in the tree and on the forest floor. Like the elm, the hackberry is often used as a shade tree in urban environments due to its drought tolerance and size. People like to plant hackberry tree in the gardens, parks and backyards because it tolerates drought and pollution of the air and provides shade. Native Americans used bark of hackberry tree to treat sore throat, menstrual irregularities and venereal diseases. Leaves are alternately arranged on the branches. Hackberry tree is monoecious plant which means that it produces individual male and female flowers on the same tree. Hackberry tree produces drooping … Fun Facts About Hackberries Hackberry – Sturdy Shade Plus Some Surprises Maybe you have heard of the Hackberry tree, but never thought of it as a food source. The crown is narrow and rounded in the forest, but broad, with pendant lower branches when open grown. The fruits are not just for forest animals though. Interesting Facts: Common hackberry is native to much of the eastern U.S. and was named "bois inconnu" -- the unkown tree -- by the earliest French explorers. Hackberry is a member of elm family which is the versatile shade trees. It is also used as seasoning for meat and as an ingredient for bread. Fruit contains one seed. Many people mistake the hackberry for its cousin the American elm. Interesting Hackberry tree Facts: Hackberry tree usually grows 30 to 50 feet in height, but it can reach 100 feet under optimal conditions. Fruits of the common hackberry are small but fleshy bearing a single seed in them. Broad, rounded crown is typical for open areas. Celtis occidentalis grows as … The leaves are 2 ½ to 4 inches long, and 1 ½ inches wide, oval to lanceshaped, and resemble those of the elm but are more sharply pointed. They can however, be found growing as tall as 100 feet. Summer (DST) no DST⁄ PDT (UTC-7). Some species of hackberry tree are adapted to the life in arid, desert conditions. Humans can also eat fruit of hackberry tree. Hackberry is a US and Canada native. The tree can grow to 100 feet high, but usually does not exceed 40 to 60 feet. The tree is tolerant of a wide range of habitats and grows on bottomlands as well as droughty upland sites The hackberry makes an excellent shade tree since its spread is nearly 30 feet and for that reason, it is found shading many backyards nationwide. It grows as a native in … It is considered soft wood and isn’t terribly strong. They grow very quickly, which is especially true when they are planted in moist conditions. (Map of Hackberry). Hackberry tree can be cultivated as bonsai. People often confuse hackberry with elm due to similarities in the shape and size of these two species. It produces greenish, inconspicuous flowers arranged in drooping clusters. Very drought and heat tolerant. The Hackberry is an interesting tree with rough corky bark. They are distributed primarily in temperate and tropical areas. The common Hackberry tree can be found growing wild in Southwestern desert arroyos. Its prime development conditions are in valley soils where it can grow to be over 100 feet tall and can have a very fast growth rate. Amateur arborists are not the only ones confused over the identification of hackberries; scientists too have had trouble definitively placing the genus of hackberry (Celtis) into the correct family. About Hackberry, Arizona Facts, Trivia and useful information. Hackberry is a host for six different species of butterflies. Texture of leaves can be smooth or rough. Desert hackberry (Celtis pallida) is a drought-tolerant tree found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 9. I live in southern Illinois and I have tried about 20 trees within 2-3 miles from my house and they feel like they will break your teeth so I planted some Celtis australis and they are much better than my locals. The Hackberry tree is one of the 100 most common trees in the United States. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Hackberry is a US and Canada native. It can survive in a multitude of climates and weather conditions. The fruits are safe for animals, birds, and humans alike. Elevation 3,583 ft (1.092 m). Hackberry Tree Identification Facts & Information. Hackberry tree grows in mixed deciduous forests, in the seasonally flooded plains, on the slopes and rocky hillsides. The berries were often crushed and used to flavour foods, or mixed with corn and animal fats to make a thick porridge. Humans can enjoy the small berries as well. Hackberry tree has soft wood that is used as firewood and for the manufacture of fence posts, cheap furniture, plywood and boxes. Bark of hackberry tree is light grey, covered with ridges and wart-like projections. Hackberry is deciduous and perennial tree comprising the flowering plant genus Celtis in the plant family Ulmaceae. Native Americans used hackberry tree as a source of fuel for starting and maintaining of fire in the altars during various ceremonies. Hackberry is a tiny village in central Mohave County, on Route 66 in the northwestern region of Arizona. Soil – best in damp to wet but will grow in dry soil Not tolerant of … It prefers moist and bottomland soils. The eastern North American tree called hackberry, or nettle tree, The fruits are not just for forest animals though. It is not a strong competitor, but once established it can grow to heights of 30 to 50 feet, on average. To treat sore throat, menstrual irregularities and venereal diseases no DST⁄ (! 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