Celtis occidentalis
Other Name: Sugarberry
DISTRIBUTION
Eastern U.S.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Hackberry is closely related to sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) and is a member of the elm family. There is little difference between sapwood and heartwood which is yellowish grey to light brown with yellow streaks. The wood is very susceptible to blue staining before and after kiln drying and has irregular grain, occasionally straight and sometimes interlocked, with a fine uniform texture.
WORKING PROPERTIES
The wood planes and turns well and is intermediate in its ability to hold nails and screws, and stains satisfactorily. Hackberry dries readily with minimal degrade. It has a fairly high shrinkage and is most suitable in cut stock (small/short pieces).
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Hackberry is moderately hard, heavy and has medium bending strength, high shock resistance but is low in stiffness. It has a good steam-bending classification.
AVAILABILITY
Reasonable.
MAIN USES
Furniture and kitchen cabinets, millwork, doors and mouldings.
RELATIVE ABUNDANCE
Together, aspen, basswood, cottonwood, elm, gum, hackberry, sassafras, sycamore and willow represent 12.5 percent of commercially available U.S. hardwoods.
