hackberries are among the most underrated native shade trees. despite their unfortunate name, they are generous and resilient companions for both people and wildlife. sometimes called sugarberry, they are long-lived hardwoods that can grow to over 80 feet, with broad, arching crowns that cast a cool summer shade.
the fruit is unusual—small, dark purple drupes with a sweet, date-like flesh wrapped around a crunchy seed. high in fat, protein, and vitamins, they are less like a typical berry and more like a nut wrapped in fruit. indigenous peoples ate them as a staple food, often dried and pounded into cakes; today they remain beloved by birds, foxes, squirrels, and adventurous foragers.
beyond their food value, hackberries are tough survivors. they thrive where many other trees fail—whether on dry gravelly slopes, compacted city soils, or floodplains. adaptable to drought and flood alike, they tolerate both harsh wind and urban pollution, yet still grow quickly in good garden soil. our seed was collected from tall, magnificent street trees in burlington vt.
ecologically, hackberry is a keystone wildlife tree in the northeast. its leaves host the caterpillars of several rare butterflies (including hackberry emperor and tawny emperor), its fruit feeds birds all winter, and its spreading branches offer nesting habitat.
in the landscape, hackberries are handsome but subtle—grey, warty bark gives the trunk character, while their soft, elm-like leaves make them a natural shade tree for yards, parks, and hedgerows. they are excellent choices for restoration plantings, homesteads, and anyone seeking a fast-growing, hardy native tree with deep ecological value.
planting notes
- height: 60–80 ft
- spread: 40–60 ft
- soil: adaptable; prefers well-drained loam
- light: full sun to part shade
- growth: fast when young, long-lived at maturity
- wildlife: fruits for birds and mammals; host plant for butterflies
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.