Table of Contents
- Edible Uses of Common Hackberry
- Medicinal Uses of Common Hackberry
- Alternative Uses of Sugar Berry
- Growing Celtis Occidentalis
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) isn’t listed in Haliburton Flora, but this rapidly growing Ontario native can be found in the south. The bark, especially characteristic on younger trees, is unique:
This plant is in the same family as hops and cannabis. While I’m writing this I noticed a thread in my native plants group asking whether or not there’s a native cannabis. Hackberry here is the closest relative. But the uses are different and no one is smoking hackberry’s leaves.
Edible Uses of Common Hackberry
Like some close elm relations, hackberry is surprisingly edible. The pea-sized berries can be gathered in Autumn, perhaps knocked off onto a sheet spread on the ground. The ripe fruits are sweet. They can be mashed along with the shell, which is too difficult to remove anyway, and eaten raw. This mash can also be boiled and strained to make hackberry milk. Or used in baking or preserves. The flavour is comparable to dates or raisins.
The cambium layer is edible early summer.
In Ontario, there’s also a dwarf hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia) that is edible. And far to our south sugarberry becomes the common hackberry species. All hackberries are edible, but with varying palatability.
Hackberries are rich in protein, carbs and fat, with 160x more calcium than the average wild fruit.
Medicinal Uses of Common Hackberry
Hackberry is primarily said to support these body systems:
- Digestive
- Integumentary
- Reproductive
- Respiratory
Medicinal tags include Antimicrobial and Astringent. See Medicinal tag key for more information.
Common usage is the astringent leaves infused for indigestion. The inner bark is used as well, both for astringent uses (e.g. sore throat) and it may be prescribed by some herbalists for menstruation regulation.
Alternative Uses of Sugar Berry
The hardwood makes good firewood, and it’s fast growing for those looking to quickly reforest logged acreage.
Growing Celtis Occidentalis
Southern Ontario and slightly into central is the northern limit of hackberry species, although it could work in our (Haliburton, ON) zones. Our ice and snow build up can do some damage to its branches in the winter.
Fortunately this elm relation is immune to Dutch elm disease. Its bark and creamy yellow autumn leaves are stand out. If you are in its range and especially if you have limestone in your soil, it’s a unique native tree to include in your landscaping. I don’t see it mentioned very often! The dwarf species is listed as of special concern in Ontario. Dwarf hackberry grows on the sand dunes and limestone plains in southwestern Ontario. These trees all prefer full sun.
Many species of birds and other wildlife eat the berries. And like black cherry, the trees tend to produce well. If you’re especially fond of bluebirds, a custom bluebird birdhouse and some hackberry might attract them!
They also host the larvae of several butterflies, like our previously featured mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) and the question mark butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis).
WARNINGS
And the Usual Cautions:
1) Most medicinal herbs, if edible, are meant to be eaten in moderation, even sparingly. Some require extra preparation. Tannins are toxic if consumed in excess. Before taking any new supplements, you should consult with a healthcare professional.
2) A vast amount of these herbs are diuretic. (See the Medicinal tags above to check if this featured herb is one of them!) Diuretics are generally safe, but they can be risky for people with other medical conditions or who take certain medications. Please consult your doctor if you have any health conditions.
3) People can be allergic or sensitive to nearly any plant; try new herbs one at a time at your own risk. For instance, saponins commonly cause stomach upset.
4) For serious medicinal use, I must recommend receiving a diagnosis and working with a reputed health care provider. I generally do not post specific treatments and dosages because I think that is best between you and your health care provider, and ideally monitored.
5) Anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding new food items to their diet.
6) Many plants have look-a-likes, and sometimes they are poisonous.
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REFERENCES
My new favourite foraging book is Sam Thayer’s Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: of Eastern and Central North America (The Sam Thayer’s Field Guides) Paperback – June 1, 2023 and this plant IS featured as one of the edible wild plants in this area. I highly recommend this guide for your bookshelves!
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/hackberry.html
https://data.canadensys.net/vascan/taxon/4192?lang=en
An Eclectic Guide to Trees East of the Rockies
Field Guide to North American Edible Wild Plants (Out of Print)
Iwigara: American Indian Ethnobotanical Traditions and Science