Hackberry

Ulmaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Eastern North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Grows 20 to 30 feet tall with small, rough, elm-like leaves; dense "witch's brooms" form in crown; trunk often covered with "corky" outgrowths.

FLOWERS:

Inconspicuous flowers in spring.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Blue fruits dispersed by birds.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

A slow growing, adaptable tree that grows in moist or dry soil; woodlands that develop on abandoned open space; rock outcrops and stone walls; railroad tracks with ballast substrate.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Tolerant of poor, dry soil; clings to cliffs and rock walls; salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; food and/or habitat for wildlife; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The fruits of this tree are edible.