Celtis occidentalis – Common Hackberry

This member of the Elm family makes a great shade tree. And it’s one of our best trees for wildlife. Each tree produces small inconspicuous male and female flowers that give rise to sugary-thick fruits that are very important fall-winter forage for small mammals and migrating and overwintering birds. Leaves feed many species of butterfly including question mark (Polygonia interrogationis), mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) and tawny emperor (Asterocampa clyton). This is a tough tree that will grow under almost any conditions but it’s at its best in deep, rich, moist soils.