HACKBERRY - Celtis occidentalis, Linn.
EXCEPT FOR THE OZARK region, hackberry is commonly found in most counties of the state. Probably the best identifying characteristic is the warty bark and elm-like leaf. Although hackberry prefers moist bottom soil situations, it will grow on any moist, fertile area.
The leaf is alternate, simple, with the edge being sharply toothed.
Warty projections decorate the otherwise smooth, gray bark on old portions of the tree.
The fleshy, berry-like fruit, which is suspended on long stems, ripens to a deep purple color in September. The berry usually remains on the tree through winter. It is an important food for wild turkey, flicker, yellow bellied sapsucker, mocking bird, brown thrasher, robin, eastern blue bird, cedar waxwing, cardinal, and raccoon.
Twigs are slender and light brown, becoming gray at maturity. The light colored pith is broken by intermittent chambers. Buds are small and triangular shaped.
Thick clusters of twigs called witch's brooms are found on many hackberries, particularly open grown or ornamental trees. A mite insect and a fungus are suspects of causing these witch's brooms.
Commercial use of hackberry has become rather unimportant. This tough, white, flexible wood is used for making crates, boxes, furniture, and at one time was used to make barrel hoops.
Because it is able to withstand harsh weather conditions, the U.S. Forest Service recommended planting hackberry for windbreaks in the late 1930's in the southern prairie states. It has also been planted as a shade tree in many areas to replace the elms.
