Hackberry

TREES

GENUS/SPECIES

Celtis occidentalis

FAMILY

Celtidaceae
(=Ulmaceae in part)

SYNONYMS

Information not available

DISTRIBUTION

Central and eastern US

SW Oklahoma northward to W Nebraska and central North Dakota
Central North Dakota eastward to S New Hampshire
S New Hampshire southwestward to SE Maryland and N Mississippi
N Mississippi westward to SW Oklahoma
Mostly absent from northern Appalachian Mountain systems and Lower Mississippi Valley

Human Product Number - 98

Veterinary Product Number - 98

Comments

Hackberry is typically a rather small tree found in lowland areas, such as in floodplains of rivers or on rocky slopes and bluffs, especially those underlain by limestone. Leaves are rather triangular with a rounded base and a pointed tip, and have teeth at the edges. Flowers form in the spring, and the female flowers develop into small rounded berries that serve as food for wildlife. The pollen is spread by the wind. There are a few closely related species, such as the sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) that has a more southerly range and has smooth edges on the leaves.