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HACKBERRY (CeZfis occidentalis L.) 



THE hackberry is found sparsely throughout the 

 State, except in the high mountains. It occurs 

 most abundantly and of greatest size in the rich 

 alluvial lands in the lower part of the State, but 

 thrives, however, on various types of soil, from the 

 poorest to the richest. It is usually a small or 

 medium-sized tree from 30 to 50 feet high and 10 



HACKBERRY 

 Leaf, one-third natural size. 

 Twig, one-half natural size. 



to 20 inches in diameter. Its limbs are often crooked 

 and angular and bear a head made of slender, 

 pendant branches or short, bristly, stubby twigs. 

 In the open the crown is generally very symmetrical. 

 It makes an excellent shade tree. 



The bark is grayish and generally rough with 

 scale-like or warty projections of dead bark. In 

 some instances the bark is smooth enough on the 

 limbs to resemble that of the beech. 



The leaves are simple, ovate, alternate, one-sided, 

 2 to 4 inches long, the edges toothed towards the 

 long point. 



The flowers are inconspicuous, and the two kinds 

 are borne on the same tree. They appear in April or 

 May, and are of a creamy greenish color. The fruit 

 is a round, somewhat oblong drupe, or berry, from 

 one-quarter to one-third of an inch in diameter. It 

 has a thin, purplish skin, and sweet, yellowish flesh. 

 From this characteristic it is sometimes called 

 sugarberry. The berries frequently hang on the 

 tree most of the winter. 



The wood is heavy, rather soft, weak, and decays 

 readily when exposed. It is used chiefly for fuel, 

 but occasionally for lumber. 



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