Hackberry

Contrary to the name, the hackberry tree is a valuable food resource for humans and wildlife. The name, hackberry, stems from the old English word “hacc,” meaning rough, referring to the tree’s distinctively textured bark. Although the young bark starts out relatively smooth and light gray, it progressively becomes wartier and turns a gray-brown as it ages. The leaves of the hackberry tree are simple, serrated, and have an asymmetrical base. They turn a golden yellow in the fall, adding seasonal interest as they produce small, round fruits that deepen into a dark purple as they ripen. The birds love the fruits, and historically, humans have utilized the fruits through drying, crushing, powderizing, and adding into other foods, like pemmican–an ancient protein bar made of animal fat and dried meats, that sometimes includes dried fruits or nuts. Generally hackberries don’t have much flavor, and the nut inside is very hard, so they are not so much a snacking fruit as they are an addition to other foods.

Hackberry trees are popular in ornamental landscaping for their uniquely textured bark and attractive fruits, though the springtime flowers are inconspicuous and green, and the leaves are rough textured and asymmetrical, often covered in hackberry nipple galls, hackberry leaf spot disease, aphids, or other conditions affecting the overall appearance and functionality of the leaves.

Being adaptable, the hackberry tree readily grows in a variety of environments, including urban environments, floodland ecosystems, or dry upland landscapes. Their ability to withstand pollution and disturbance contribute to their frequent use in ornamental landscaping, as well as their ability to live in direct sunlight or partial shade, with the potential of living for hundreds of years.

The hackberry tree’s large canopy provides shade, and its ability to support a variety of wildlife makes it an important tree in Ohio’s ecosystems. They attract a plethora of birds with their fruit and provide shelter and nesting sites for many species. The wood of the hackberry is sought after by woodworkers for being strong, lightweight, and having a fine grain, making it suitable for furniture-making, although it is not as commonly used as other hardwoods.

While hackberry trees are highly adaptable, they can be somewhat invasive in the southern or pacific northwest states, where they have been introduced, as well as in parts of Eurasia, outcompeting native vegetation in disturbed areas. Overall, however, the hackberry is a versatile and hardy tree that offers significant benefits to wildlife and humans alike, making it a great choice for larger landscapes that have space for their extensive root systems.