Hack berry trees

On the drier plains, it was used along with any other wood that could be obtained for flooring and other parts of the homestead. This tree has some unique characteristics. The bark resembles warts on young trees and changes into ridges as the tree matures.

These deformities are often a cause of stress formed from tiny mites and a powdery mildew. The hackberry produces small, dark-red berries that turn purple as they mature.

Inside is a pit, that when scraped clean, reveals an interesting net-like pattern. The fruit of the hackberry is popular with winter birds, especially the cedar waxwing, mockingbird, and robin. Today, the status of the hackberry is much higher, although still not appreciated by many who select and plant trees.

Hackberry is also an excellent choice for the energy and water conscious landscaper. It offers a combination of dense summer shade that cools houses, and an open winter crown that allows passage of the sun rays to provide natural warmth during cold season.

My 10 year old hackberry got run over by a truck in winter. It spring right back up. Comment: As with hackberry, most people saddled with this garbage tree live with it because no other trees will grow there.

I can't think of a messier tree. In addition to the sticks, twigs, broken branches, and leaves that shower down almost every day, it also blankets the yard around it in early summer with cottony seeds -- hence, the name "cottonwood.

The only good use for this nasty tree is as firewood. Burn one today! What's wrong with it: Weedy, breaks up in storms, roots crack pavement and invade water lines. Comment: Folks plant silver maple for one reason -- they want quick shade. It grows fast, upwards of three feet a year, eventually reaching 70 feet tall. But you pay a steep price for that shade. Its roots are infamous for clogging water lines and breaking sidewalks. Its weak branches fall in storms.

And look at all the seeds it drops in one season, each destined to become a baby silver maple! Found in practically every state from Florida to the Canadian border, it proves the fallacy that "native plants are always better.

What's wrong with it: Its flowers stink like tuna on a trunk, thorny seedlings sprout everywhere, and its suicidal branching structure makes it explode in storms. The mature bark is light gray, bumpy, and corky, while its small, berry-like fruit turns from orange-red to purple and is relished by birds. The fruit will temporarily stain walks. Common Names : Common hackberry, sugarberry, nettle tree, beaverwood, northern hackberry.

Habitat : On good bottomland soils, it grows fast and may live to 20 years. Description : Hackberry is planted as a street tree in midwestern cities because of its tolerance to a wide range of soil and moisture conditions. Northern outliers are found in southern Quebec, western Ontario, southern Manitoba, and southeastern Wyoming.

The range extends south from western Nebraska to northeastern Colorado and northwestern Texas, and then east to Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, with scattered occurrences in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Hackberry grows naturally in moist bottomland soil but will grow rapidly in a variety of soil types, from moist, fertile soils to hot, dry, rocky locations under the full heat of the sun.

Hackberry is tolerant of highly alkaline soil, whereas Sugarberry is not. Hackberry is tolerant of wind, drought, salt, and pollution once established and is considered a moderately tough, urban-tolerant tree. Skilled pruning is required several times during the first 15 years of life to prevent the formation of weak branch crotches and weak multiple trunks. Hackberry was extensively used in street plantings in parts of Texas and in other cities as it tolerates most soils except those that are extremely alkaline, and also because it grows in the sun or partial shade.

However, branches may break out from the trunk if proper pruning and training are not conducted early in the life of the tree. Even slight injury to the trunk and branches can initiate extensive decay inside the tree.

If you have this tree, plant it where it will be protected from mechanical injury. Plant one in your yard for its shade and seasonal interest, especially if you have a place where the soil is too poor for other trees. Hackberry grows into an expansive shade tree for your yard with a cylindrical shape.

This fast-growing, deciduous tree produces edible fruit. The pretty leaves turn completely yellow in autumn for a showy accent in your yard. Hackberry's foliage arrives at the same time as the small spring flowers, giving your tree a vivacious, lime-green appearance.

Those flowers will eventually give way to small, edible berries that are dark purple. The drupes have a somewhat date-like flavor and were traditionally used by Native Americans as a food source.

They are a favorite of Cedar Waxwing, and other birds. You better believe they will also treasure the shelter and nesting opportunities Hackberry provides. The Hackberry's trunk has a distinctive, corky appearance. The ridges and blocky texture adds ornamental interest to the barren winter landscape, as do the tiny berries.

The wood is strong, and not prone to storm damage. It can be used for furniture or other projects. Native Hackberry is a great way to have an impressive shade tree with ornamental appeal in less time than other large trees would require. The edible fruit sweetens the deal as a fun and useful addition to an already outstanding tree.

Order these long-lived, wind-tolerant, salt-tolerant trees from Nature Hills. They'll stand up to heat, drought, and pollution.

Feel great about your choice, your local birds will certainly be pleased. Try Hackberry as a long-lived shade tree. They are very tolerant of open, windy areas like you might find in new neighborhoods or developments, golf courses, parks and for street use.

Diversity of species is always important when developing a new urban forest. Nursery professionals and extension offices often recommend Hackberry. Use Hackberry as a modern street tree planted 30 feet apart on center. Measure from the center of one tree to the center of the next. Hackberry has remarkable adaptability.

Use this tree when you have lawn areas with clay soils and in Rain Gardens to filter runoff from roofs before it flows down the storm sewer.

There is perhaps no better shade tree for wide, open areas. You simply won't have to fuss with it, just situate it on the south or west of your home. Allow that shade to reduce your energy bills! Be sure to include Hackberry on Food Forests, in Wildlife Sanctuaries and other bird-friendly landscapes. Plant on the north side of a stand of Chickasaw Plum as a rugged, handsome backdrop. Grow Hackberries in full sun or partial shade. Careful watering to establish the first season is always important, but they can be grown in wet or dry sites; in poor and clay soils with few problems.