Celtis occidentalis
Common hackberry is often confused for sugarberry, especially here in the South where their growing range overlaps. As a general rule of thumb, C. occidentalis resides in the North while C. laevigata resides in the South. Even commercially, the wood is grouped together and labeled “hackberry” which is often used for veneer or cheap furniture. Like sugarberry, the fruits are edible and are highly sought after by wildlife due to their high fat, carbohydrate, and protein content. Even people find them tasty!
Family: Cannabaceae (formerly Ulmaceae)
Foliage: Deciduous
Mature height range: usually 30-50 ft. but can reach heights of 100+ in ideal conditions
Light exposure: Partial Shade
Soil preference: Prefers moister, limestone soils but will grow on rocky hillsides and other uplands
Tolerance: Shade tolerance varies greatly upon other stressors; in more accommodating conditions, hackberry can persist in closed canopy environments
Wildlife: fruit are eaten by birds and mammals, herbivory by insects, larval host plant for the American snout (Libytheana carinenta), mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis), tawny emperor (Asterocampa clyton), question mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis), and wild cherry sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum)
