# Hackberry (*Celtis occidentalis*) The Hackberry tree has rough bark and produces small berries that are tasty for birds. It’s a great home for many animals! - **Category:** [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/tree) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Open woods and fields - **Also known as:** Celtis, Sugarberry ![Hackberry](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425834/objects/4877.jpg) ## Appearance The Hackberry is known for its distinctive warty, cork-like bark, which sets it apart from other trees. Its simple, oval leaves have uneven bases, and it produces small, dark purple, berry-like fruits that cling to branches through winter. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Rosales - **Family:** Cannabaceae - **Genus:** Celtis ## Interesting facts - Hackberry wood is tough and bendy, once used for old-fashioned wagon wheels! - Its bark is so unique, it feels like sandpaper and has cool, warty ridges! - Some tiny insects make fuzzy 'galls' on Hackberry leaves that look like tiny horns! - The Hackberry's sweet, purplish fruit tastes like dates and can be eaten by people! ## Special abilities - **Super Tough Bark:** Hackberry has unique corky bark that protects it from physical damage and helps it endure harsh weather conditions. - **Winter Snack Bar:** Hackberry produces small, sweet berries that remain on branches, providing crucial food for wildlife during cold winter months. - **City Survivor:** Hackberry can tolerate pollution, poor soil, and drought, allowing it to thrive in challenging urban environments. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 12-25 m - **Spread:** 10-15 m - **Edible:** Yes - **Size:** 30-100 cm - **Lifespan:** 100-200 years - **Fruit Type:** Drupe - **Growth Rate:** Medium - **Leaf Type:** Deciduous ## Ecological connections - **Shelter:** [Hackberry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hackberry) (*Celtis occidentalis*) — Provides nesting sites for birds. - **Eats:** [Hackberry Emperor](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hackberry-emperor) (*Asterocampa celtis*) — Caterpillars feed on Hackberry leaves. - **Eats:** [Eastern Bluebird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-bluebird) (*Sialia sialis*) — Feeds on the tree's berries in winter. - **Eats:** Virginia Opossum (*Didelphis virginiana*) — Consumes Hackberry fruit. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Fruit Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-tree): A fruit tree is a perennial tree that produces fruit, which is edible to humans or animals. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. ## Collections - [Trees](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/trees) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Do not pick or eat anything you find. Some plants and mushrooms can be harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hackberry? Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Hackberry? 12-25 m ### How wide does Hackberry spread? 10-15 m ### Is Hackberry edible? Yes ### How big is Hackberry? 30-100 cm ### How long does Hackberry live? 100-200 years ### Where is Hackberry usually found? Open woods and fields ### What kind of fruit does Hackberry produce? Drupe ## Where to spot - [Lock and Dam No. 18](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-18) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Franz Sigel Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franz-sigel-park) — New York, US · Park - [Mellwood Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mellwood-park) — Maryland, US · Park - [Bill Burton Fishing Pier State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bill-burton-fishing-pier-state-park) — Maryland, US · State Park - [Maheras-Gentry Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maheras-gentry-park) — Michigan, US · Park - [Point Pelee National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-pelee-national-park) — Ontario, CA · National Park [View all places to see Hackberry](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hackberry) ## More Trees - [English Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/english-oak) (*Quercus robur*) - [Sessile Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sessile-oak) (*Quercus petraea*) - [Northern Red Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-oak) (*Quercus rubra*) - [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) --- Source: [Hackberry: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hackberry)