Hackberry

Common hackberry is able to grow in a variety of sites and soil types. Although it grows best in moist soils near stream banks and on floodplains, it will grow on dry, less fertile soils. Annual height growth will decrease in drier soils. Common hackberry can also survive long periods of drought due to its deep root system. It will not occur on sites with a permanently high water table, but mature trees can survive periods of excessive flooding. Because of its tall, arching habit, Hackberry makes an almost ideal tree for planting along streets and in yards and parks. Suitable to plant throughout the state.

Wild turkey, ring-necked pheasant, quail, grouse, lesser prairie chicken, cedar waxwing, robins, and other bird species consume common hackberry fruit, which persists throughout the winter. Small mammals also consume the fruit. Deer will browse common hackberry leaves in the absence of preferred browse species. Common hackberry provides good cover for species such as mule deer, white-tailed deer, upland game birds, small non-game birds, and small mammals.

Hackberry is not without problems.  Poorly attached branches can be prone to ice-storm splitting and the loss of large limbs can lead to quick and extensive decay within the trunk and large branches.

The fruits were also important to Native Americans with many tribes using them to make pemmican.