Sugarberry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sugarberry |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Celtis
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| Species: |
laevigata
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| Natural range of Celtis laevigata | |
The Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) is a medium-sized tree that grows naturally in North America. People also call it the Southern hackberry or just hackberry.
This tree can sometimes look like another tree called the common hackberry (C. occidentalis). But you can tell them apart! Sugarberry leaves are narrower and feel smoother on top. Also, sugarberry trees usually grow in wet, low areas near rivers. Common hackberry trees prefer higher, drier ground.
Sugarberry trees are found across the Eastern United States, stretching west to Texas and south into northeastern Mexico. You can also find them on the island of Bermuda.
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Where Sugarberry Trees Grow
Sugarberry trees love to grow along streams and in wet soils. They are often found in floodplains, which are flat areas next to rivers that sometimes flood.
How Sugarberry Helps Nature
The sweet fruit of the sugarberry tree is a tasty snack for birds and small animals like rodents. When these animals eat the fruit, they help to spread the seeds to new places. This process is called seed dispersal.
The leaves of the sugarberry tree are also food for many insects. For example, the caterpillars of the Io moth (Automeris io) enjoy munching on them.
Uses of Sugarberry Wood
The wood from sugarberry trees is often mixed with wood from common hackberry trees. This mix is known simply as "hackberry lumber."
What Sugarberry Wood is Used For
Sugarberry wood is used for many things. Some of it becomes veneer, which is a thin layer of wood used to cover furniture. It's also used for making containers.
The main use for sugarberry wood is in making furniture. The wood is light in color. This means it can be easily stained to look like other woods, from light to medium brown. This is a great feature because other woods might need special bleaching to get the same look.
Besides furniture, sugarberry wood is also used to make sporting goods. It can also be turned into plywood, which is a strong type of wood made from thin layers glued together.
Sugarberry as a Shade Tree
Many people plant sugarberry trees in their yards or in cities. They make great shade trees because they grow well in urban areas.
The sugarberry tree has a shape similar to an elm tree. Its bark has a unique, warty texture. These features make it a very attractive tree for landscaping.
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Bark
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Leaf
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See also
In Spanish: Almez del Mississippi para niños
