The Hackherries and the Mvdherries 97 



CELTIS OCCIDENTALIS, Linn. HACKBERRY 



Common names: Hackberry, bastard elm. 

 French names: Orme batard, micocouiller occidental. 



The hackberry is a tree 25 to 35 ft. high and 1 to 2 ft. in diameter. It forms a 

 large, rounded crown, but often flat-topped and spreading. This characteristic, 

 together with its slightly drooping lower branches and elm-like leaves, often leads 

 one at first glance to mistake it for an elm. 



It prefers rich, moist soils but will grow on dry, gravelly sites. It is confined 

 in Canada to the valley of the St. Lawrence from Montreal westward through 

 southern Ontario. It is local in its distribution and nowhere in Canada is it very 

 common and for this reason is generally unknown. 



While this tree at a short distance is easily mistaken for an elm, a close examina- 

 tion shows many differences. The bark of the trunk, instead of being flaky as in 

 the elm, is covered with wart-like ridges which often extend well up into the 

 branches. 



The pith of the twigs is white and chambered, while in the elms it is solid. 

 The wood when moistened has a slightly greenish tinge not visible in that of the 

 elm. 



The buds, which are chestnut-brown, flattened, pointed and somewhat hairy, 

 generally have a dark edge about the margin of their scales. The bud at the end 

 of the twig is lacking. 



The leaves much resemble those of the elm but are more taper-pointed, and 

 comparatively free of teeth. They are about 3 in. long, deep green in colour, and 

 rough to the touch. 



The fruit is berry-like, reddish to dark purple, the size of a currant, and con- 

 tains a stone. It ripens in September and is sweet and edible. 



The wood of the hackberry is very similar to that of the rock elm. The two 

 are difficult to separate when sawn into lumber and when hackberry is utilized it is 

 usually sold mixed with either rock or white elm. 



THE MULBERRIES 



Seven species of mulberry {Morns) are recognized of which two at least occur 

 in North America, and of these one grows in Canada. Several of the species are 

 cultivated for their leaves which furnish the principal food of the silkworm, also for 

 their fruit which is edible. Perhaps the most widely known species is the white 

 mulberry {Monts alba) which all over the world has escaped from cultivation and 

 now grows wild. It is occasionally found growing wild in southern Ontario, but 

 can be readily distinguished from the native species by its lighter-coloured twigs, 

 smaller winter buds, and white, instead of red, berries. 



The wood of the mulberries is of high technical value, hard, and durable. In 

 some parts of the United States the mulberry is planted for the purpose of produc- 

 ing^ fenc^-posts. 



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