![]() Many Native American groups used hackberries as an important fall and winter food source. Nonenmacher on Wikimedia Commons) Did you know… The bark also helps in identifying, as it has many raised ridges with a corky, layered appearance.Ĭloseup of the ridged bark of ( Celtis occidentalis) (Photo by R. The leaves of hackberry are actually asymmetrical, which can help in identifying the tree. So harvesting in fall gives you the best chance of collecting a good amount. They will sometimes stay on the tree until spring arrives the following year, however they are very popular with wildlife. The best time to collect the berries is in the fall when they start to ripen. It tends to make a great walking or hiking snack, or even a small energy boost you can turn to whilst foraging for other wild foods. The yield of berries from a hackberry is not going to provide food for many. When foraging for hackberry be sure that you are within its native range, and usual habitat, and be sure to consult an official wild food identification book before eating. Red/deep purple berries are often noted for their toxic qualities, the red being a warning sign for animals and humans alike. Whilst foraging it is imperative that you correctly identify the fruits before eating. Native Americans once did just this, roasting the paste into small energy rich snacks.įruits ( Celtis occidentalis) (Photo by Sten on Wikimedia Commons) Cautions This can be baked into small cookie shapes and eaten. The small seed within the fruit contains a nut which if collected, ground and mixed with water, can actually produce a milk, not unlike almond milk.Īn alternate way to eat the berries is to grind the fruit, seed and all into a paste. The thin flesh of the fruit has a sweet taste, although it is unlikely you will be able to harvest enough to create anything too meaningful with them. Only the fruits of a hackberry are edible. Small, inconspicuous, green flowers appear in late spring after the arrival of the leaves. Leaves are long heart shapes, alternate, and have a slightly serrated edge. The bark is light gray, with a fairly distinctive ridged, wart like pattern adorning the trunk. You’ll typically find them growing no larger than 20m in height, however optimal conditions can support trees that reach heights of almost 40m. Hackberry ( Celtis occidentalis) (Photo by Yuriy Kvach on Wikimedia Commons) Whereas southern hackberry, or sugarberry, is found in moist, nutrient rich soils near sources of water. Northern hackberry is usually found in higher, sometimes rocky locations. However they do tend to inhabit different areas. They each bear similar fruits and similar leaf appearance. Apart from their native range, both trees are extremely similar. ![]() Whereas the southern hackberry can be found in the southeastern states, particularly Missouri and Georgia. Northern hackberry is native throughout the midwest and north eastern states. And also the southern hackberry ( Celtis laevigata), also known as sugarberry. ![]() The northern hackberry ( Celtis occidentalis), also kown by a number of other names including, beaverwood, nettletree, American hackberry and simply, common hackberry. Hackberry ( Celtis spp.) is a hardwood deciduous tree that bears tiny red/purple, edible fruits. Please email me directly at with any questions. Click Here for more information and to sign up. Hopefully you can make it to our July class. Do you live in Connecticut or Nearby? is now offering in-person foraging classes.
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