Sugarberry is a common large overstory tree of bottomland forests, but also occurs in drier areas over calcareous rock (with relatively high pH soil). The variety in North Carolina is var. laevigata; there are others in the southwestern states.

Granville Co., NC 4/26/09.

The leaves are normally easily identified by their elongate, almost triangular shape with uneven bases with three prominent veins and usually few teeth.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

The branching pattern is distinctive.

Chapel Hill, NC 5/2/09.

The similar Common Hackberry (C. occidentalis) and Dwarf Hackberry (C. tenuifolia) also occur in North Carolina, but have broader, coarsely toothed leaves that are usually sandpapery above.

Ripening fruits. The fruits are drupes, with a large seed encased in a hardened endocarp and surrounded by fleshy mesocarp.

Durham Co., NC 6/8/03.

Three species of butterflies feed on the leaves as larvae: Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, and American Snout.

Ripe fruits (technically drupes) are deep reddish-purplish.

Durham Co., NC 12/6/08.

The fruits are edible and sweetish — the taste is similar to that of dates — but the stone is large and covered by only a thin layer of flesh. The fruits are greatly enjoyed by birds.

Durham Co., NC 12/6/08.

The bark is usually extremely warty.

Bark detail.

Bark of a medium-sized tree. An extreme example of wartiness!

Orange Co., NC 3/9/08.

Large tree in spring.

Sugarberry is one of the earlier tree species to leaf out.

Durham Co., NC 4/13/2003.

Large tree in winter (same tree as in photo above).

Durham Co., NC 12/4/2005.