Latin: Celtis occidentalis
Other common names: hackberry, sugarberry, false elm, nettletree, beaverwood
Mature Height: 30-40 ft.
Soil / Climate: The Common Hackberry is native to North America. Tolerates both moist or dry soils.
Notes: Landscape use good tree for poor conditions, park tree, screen, for edible fruit, used in inexpensive furniture where a light-colored wood is desired Hackberry is useful in areas around rivers to help prevent erosion and minimize risk from flooding. The hackberry is also a favorite for bonsai. Small purple berries are dry, sweet, and edible.
Wildlife: The small berries of hackberry trees are relished by many songbirds in fall and winter, including the bluebird, cedar waxwing, yellow-bellied sapsucker, mockingbird and robin and gamebirds such as wild turkey, quail, doves and pigeons. A number of small animals such as squirrels eat the berries, and so do beaver, possum, raccoons, skunks, gray fox, wood rats, and (in Texas) the ring-tailed cat.