Hackberry, Common

Here we have the Common Hackberry, or Celtis occidentalis, a tree often considered an "unknown tree" as it doesn't neatly fit into any specific family. It's a medium-sized tree, typically reaching heights of 90 feet, known for its fast growth and long lifespan, capable of living up to 200 years. The Hackberry has a broad crown with numerous fine branches, making it identifiable by the presence of "witches' brooms"—dense clusters of twiggy growth caused by mites and fungi. These trees are often found along fencerows where birds have dropped their seeds. The small, round, dark purple berries are used by a variety of birds, although not highly preferred, and often remain on the tree into winter. The bark starts smooth and gray but develops warty growths as it ages, which eventually merge into ridges or scales. The leaves resemble those of Elm trees, being small, lopsided, and egg-shaped, with a light green color, smooth texture, and a single toothed, serrated edge.