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National Champion Hackberry Celtis occidentalis Mason City, Illinois photos by Gaye Maxon 20000 Circumference = 235 inches (19.6 feet) Height = 94 feet Average Crown Spread = 88 feet Total Points = 351 nominated: 1993 by: James R. Ream

This American Hackberry is often confused for its close cousin, the American Elm, and is native to the upper Midwest. The tree is lso called Sugarberry, Nettle-tree and Hack-tree. Rarely over 50 feet tall, it prefers rich, moist soil, and is often found near streams.

This sturdy American Hackberry specimen was featured in May 1996 of the Davey Tree Company's Champion Tree calendar. This specimen in central Illinois—easily over a century old—is likely the largest in the world.

In spring 2000, this magnificent tree was badly damaged by severe windstorms, losing several limbs and destroying the beautiful symmetry of its spreading crown. The owners lacked money to pay for cleanup, salvage and repairof this distinguished elder, so a fund-raising drive was held, with enough donations to pay a tree surgeon for a professional repair of the weakened, damaged crown.

For the complete story of this champion's calamity, visit

Champion Out on a Limb

Identification

Range: The American Hackberry covers 2 million square miles, from New England to the Pacific Coast, south to Florida and Texas.

Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate, 2 to 4 inches long, finely toothed along margins, sharp-pointed, rounded and often op-sided at the base, rough on upper surfaces, with prominent veins.

Flowers are small, greenish, borne on slender stalks.

Fruit is a round, dark purple berry about 1/4 inch in diameter. It matures in September, hangs into winter, and is freely eaten by birds and other animals.

Bark is grayish-brown, ranging from smooth (like Beech) to very rough. Hard, wart-like bark projections are common on medium-size trees.

Twigs are slender, tend to zigzag, and often grouped in dense clusters known as "withches brooms." They contain a pith made up of thin white plates separated by wide air spaces, known as "chambered pith."

Wood is yellowish, rather heavy, coarse grained, used chiefly for crates, boxes, handles, and farm implements.

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TERRA: The Earth Restoration and Reforestation Alliance — www.championtrees.org — updated 8/14/2003