The humble hackberry

We have a cluster of hackberry trees (Celtis laevigata) in our side yard. A branch of the largest one is visible from our bird room window. This year, I paid close attention as its leaves turned brownish-yellow and fell to the ground. There, they mulched the horseherb (Calyptocarpus vialis) that grows below. With this cost- and labor-free mulching and the provided shade, the ground cover flourishes — never needing water or mowing.

After the last leaf fell, I continued to watch the berry-covered branch. The berries sat there for weeks. Then, suddenly, robin redbreast and the masked cedar waxwing came to town. This was just what I was waiting for. The multitude of robins and — in lesser numbers, the waxwings — enriched their diet of cedar berries by enjoying our hackberry tree’s bounty. I felt pleased to contribute to their wellbeing.

“Remarkable Trees of Texas,” by Matt Turner, informs us of other reasons to appreciate the native hackberry. This easyto- grow, drought-tolerant species provides winter food for bluebirds, cardinals, doves, flycatchers, jays, mockingbirds, vireos, warblers and more. I enjoyed watching a visiting yellow- rumped warbler feast. After re-leafing in the spring, the hackberry becomes larval food for hordes of butterflies and moths, including the question mark, mourning cloak, snout and aptly named hackberry emperor.

You may have heard someone say that the hackberry is a trash tree — or perhaps you yourself have thought of it as such. Now, you know a bit about the benefits of this humble native. It grows here and it belongs here. So, here’s to the hackberry!