Hackberry facts | Health Benefits

Hackberry is a member of elm family which is the versatile shade trees. It prefers moist and bottomland soils. Hackberry is adaptable to
rocky, compacted or dry soil. This tree provides shade, controls erosion and windbreak. Hackberry has rounded crown and slender branches. Hackberry trees are planted in the parks, gardens and backyards as it is tolerable to drought, air pollution of the air and also provides shade.

Name	Hackberry
Scientific Name	Celtis occidentalis
Native	North America
Common/English Name	American hackberry, Hackberry, Mississippi hackberry, Nettletree, Northern hackberry, Sugarberry, vals witstinkhout, amerikanischer Zürgelbaum, bäralm and beaverwood
Name in Other Languages	French: micicoulier ronce; Denmark: naeldetrae; Germany: Abendlaendischer Zuergelbaum; Greece: Celtis aetnensis; Italy: bgolaro occidentale; Netherlands: zwepenboom; Sweden: bäralm; USA: gube
Plant Growth Habit	Deciduous, perennial tree
Growing Climate	Warm
Plant Size	40-80 feet
Lifespan	150-200 years
Bark	Grayish brown, corky warts and ridges
Leaf	Alternate, oval to lanceshaped, pinnate, green; Length: 2 ½-4 inches; Width: 1 ½ inches
Flowering Season	April and May
Flower	Not showy, small, greenish to yellow
Fruit shape & size	Oblong drupe, oval; Diameter: 1/4-1/3 inch
Fruit color	Black, purple or red
Fruit Taste	Sweet
Varieties/Types	Green Cascade Prairie Sentinel Prairie Pride Magnifica
Fruit Season	September and October
Traditional uses	The bark is used by Native Americans to treat the sore throat. The extract from wood is used to cure jaundice. A decoction made from bark is used to cure sore throats. The bark if combined with the powdered shells is used to cure VD. The bark is boiled and used to regulate menstrual cycles, promote abortions and treat venereal diseases.
How to Eat	Fruits are eaten fresh or made as jam. It is used to season meat and used as an ingredient for bread. Native Americans use fruit as porridge which is made with the mixture of corn and animal fat. It is used to add flavor.

References:

http://www.beesongrows.com/pdfs/0409RD_NB_CLTOC.pdf

http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/c/celtis-occidentalis=hackberry.php

http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/trees/C-occidentalis.html

http://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/hackberry_tree_facts/1257/

http://www.ehow.com/about_6513384_interesting-hackberry-tree.html

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