HACKBERRY

• Lifespan: With proper care, these trees can live for 150-200 years, offering generations the opportunity to enjoy their shade and ecological benefits.
• Canopy Size and Spread: Reaches a mature spread of 25-50 feet, creating a significant shade canopy.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower, adding 1-2 feet per year after establishment.
• Canopy Height: Maturity brings a height of 30-50 feet, offering shade without overpowering smaller gardens.
• Soil Preference: Adapts well to various soils, but thrives in moist, well-drained conditions. Tolerates clay, loam, and even slightly alkaline soils.
• Water Needs: Moderately water-dependent, especially during the first few years after planting and during dry spells. Once established, they are drought tolerant.
• Flowers and Fruits: Small, greenish flowers appear in spring, followed by small, fleshy fruits that ripen to a purplish-black color in late summer and persist into winter.

Interesting Facts

• A Native Champion: The Hackberry is a native tree to North America, offering a natural element to your landscape and supporting local ecosystems.
• Superficial Root System: Unlike some trees with invasive roots, the Hackberry has a shallow, non-aggressive root system, making it a good choice for planting near sidewalks or driveways.
• Honeycomb Hack: The unique, corky bark of mature Hackberry trees develops a ridged pattern that resembles a honeycomb. This adds visual interest, especially during the winter months.
• Resilient and Adaptable: The Hackberry thrives in various conditions, tolerating heat, drought, strong winds, pollution, and even poor soil quality. This makes it a perfect choice for urban landscapes or areas with challenging growing conditions.
• Low-Maintenance Beauty: This tree requires minimal maintenance. Occasional pruning may be needed to remove dead branches or shape the canopy, but otherwise, it’s a low-fuss addition to your landscape.
• Four-Season Interest: While not adorned with showy flowers, the Hackberry offers beauty throughout the year. In spring, it produces inconspicuous greenish flowers. Summer brings attractive green foliage, followed by a transformation into vibrant yellow hues in fall. In winter, the distinctive bark adds a touch of texture to the bare landscape.
• Wildlife Haven: The Hackberry provides valuable food and shelter for wildlife. Birds flock to feast on its sweet, purple-black berries, while butterflies and other pollinators find nectar in its small flowers.