Hackberry – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.

About Hackberry trees

Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) (also known as Common Hackberry, Nettletree, Beaverwood, Northern Hackberry, and American Hackberry) trees have smooth, yellowish gray bark that often has corky warts or ridges (sometimes the bark may be silvery gray or light brown). The wood of the hackberry is yellowish.  The tree may reach 39 meters (130 feet) in height.  Hackberry trees have long-pointed leaves that grow in two rows. The leaves are asymmetrical and coarse textured and measure 2 1/2 inches long by 1-2 inches wide.  This tree bears small, round berries that can be eaten when they are ripe and fall from the tree. The berries turn from orange red to dark purple in the Autumn.  Greenish, downy flowers appear on the tree in the Spring soon after the leaves appear.

Where to Find Hackberry plants

This plant is widespread in the United States, especially in and near ponds.  It prefers rich, moist soil but will grow on rocky hillsides too.

Edible Parts of Hackberry plants

Its berries are edible when they are ripe and fall from the tree.

Image Credits

In-Article Image Credits

Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) fruits via Wikimedia Commons by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova with usage type - Creative Commons License. October 2, 2021
Hackberry fruit on tree via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License. September 21, 2015
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) fruit via Wikimedia Commons by Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova with usage type - Creative Commons License. October 2, 2021
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry tree via Wikimedia Commons by Chhe with usage type - Public Domain. June 6, 2009
Close-up of hackberry bark via Wikimedia Commons by Adam Shaw with usage type - Creative Commons License. August 30, 2013
Celtis occidentalis, commonly known as the Common hackberry bark closeup via Wikimedia Commons by Marija Gajić with usage type - Creative Commons License. November 6, 2014
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry leaf showing shape and vein structure via Wikimedia Commons by Sapphosyne with usage type - Creative Commons License. August 4, 2010
Celtis occidentalis: Hackberry Flower. via Wikimedia Commons by Sten Porse with usage type - Creative Commons License. May 23, 2008
Celtis occidentalis, commonly known as the Common hackberry via Wikimedia Commons by Marija Gajić with usage type - Creative Commons License. November 6, 2014
Celtis occidentalis: Hackberry Fruit. via Wikimedia Commons by Sten Porse with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 26, 2007
Celtis occidentalis L. - common hackberry - Onondaga County, New York via Wikimedia Commons by R.A. Nonenmacher with usage type - Creative Commons License. June 22, 2014

Featured Image Credit

Hackberry fruit on tree via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License. September 21, 2015