What is a sugarberry tree?

Sugarberry or southern hackberry (Celtis laevigata) is a medium to large sized hardwood tree found along floodplains, rivers, and streams, in the southeast.  In more urbanized areas, these trees can be found along fence rows, disturbed sites, streets, and parks.  Sugarberry is often confused with hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), as their ranges overlap in the northern part of Georgia.  Hackberry is found throughout southern states, and it's range extends through the northeastern United States.

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Celtis trees (referred to as hackberries) have distinct light-colored corky or warty bark that can vary greatly in texture. The small orange to red drupes are an excellent food for birds and small game animals, and lower limbs are often browsed by deer.  Ovate variably serrated leaves provide food to snout nosed butterflies, since Celtis is their primary host tree.