Sugarberry

Celtis laevigata

Size: 3 & 7 Gallon Availability

Tree
Max size: 70′ tall x 50′ wide
Average size: 60′ tall x 30′ wide

Very Moist, Usually Moist, Moist to Dry
Clay, Loam, Sand
Full Sun, Part Shade
No Salt Tolerance

AKA: Hackberry

This deciduous tree has a yellow fall color and inconspicuous early spring blooms. The edible purple or brown fruits ripen in fall. They are small but flavorful and many people compare the flavor to dates. This tree does particularly well when planted on a slope, since it is a heavy drinker, but does not like standing water. It has quite a long lifespan. Many wildlife species consume the fruit, such as robins, mockingbirds, and other songbirds. It is the larval host for hackberry emperor (Asterocampa celtis), and mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies. Sole larval host plant for American snout (Libytheana carineta) in South Florida; also larval host for tawny emperor (Asterocampa clyton), question mark (Polygonia interrogationis) butterflies. It is notable that it is the ONLY larval host plant for the American snout.

The branches have traditionally been used for basketweaving, since they are slender and flexible.