This month we are featuring the Hackberry. This is a great street tree for municipal parkways and park settings as well, yet it is one of the most under planted species.

As the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is reaching peak populations here in Illinois, it is become increasingly important to begin looking for suitable Ash tree replacements. With a significant loss of tree canopy looming on the horizon, arborists and urban foresters need to start thinking in terms of reforestation. A good reforestation program is a diverse one, with emphasis also put on planting the proper trees in the proper place. The intention of the "Featured Tree of the Month" on this web-site is help promote tree diversity and get people thinking about how to properly reforest after the EAB has swept through and done its damage. This month we are featuring the Hackberry.

The Hackberry is one of our great native trees here in Illinois. It is a shade tree that can grow up to 80 feet tall when conditions are favorable. Its branching structure somewhat resembles the American Elm, which is why sometimes the Hackberry is refered to as a "false Elm". It has an alternate leaf pattern and the leaf has a serrated edge. The bark pattern of a Hackberry is very distinctive. Its "spotty" bark makes it interesting and unlike any other tree in the landscape.

The Hackbery is a great tree for just about any setting. It makes a great municipal street tree and also does well as in parks or private settings. It is an extremely hardy tree that can tolerate clay soils, gravel, and poorly drained soils as well.

In my opinion, the Hackberry is an extremely under planted tree in our landscapes, mostly because of its less than stunning appearance when it is young. It tends to have a very thin canopy and look a little "spindly" when it is young, especially a typical nursery stock size transplant, 2-3" caliper. It can also be a slow starter, but after about two growing seasons, this tree takes off, and usually becomes one of the most aesthetically pleasing trees with its beautiful dark green full crown and golden fall color. It also offers some great shade for six months out of the year.

Aside from being mistaken for an American Elm, the Hackberry is also sometimes mistaken for its southern "cousin", the Sugarberry - Celtis Laevigata. Although the Sugarberry can occasionally grow well here, it is more suitable for warmer climates. It is native in southern Illinois but is more common in the southern states.