{{Short description|Species of tree}} {{Speciesbox |image = Sugarberry_Celtis_laevigata_2009-04-05.jpg |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Barstow, M. |date=2017 |title=''Celtis laevigata'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T61987968A61987970 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T61987968A61987970.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref> |genus = Celtis |species = laevigata |authority = Willdenow<ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN | accessdate=2010-04-24}}</ref> |range_map = Celtis laevigata range map 2.png |range_map_caption = Natural range of ''Celtis laevigata'' }} thumb|''Celtis laevigata'', Southeastern Louisiana.
'''''Celtis laevigata''''' is a medium-sized tree native to North America. Common names include '''sugarberry''', '''southern hackberry''', or in the southern U.S. '''sugar hackberry''' or just '''hackberry'''.
Sugarberry is easily confused with common hackberry (''C. occidentalis'') where the range overlaps. Sugarberry has narrower leaves with mostly smooth margins, the berries are juicier and sweeter, while the bark is less corky.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Celtis laevigata - Plant Finder|url=https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a857|access-date=2021-12-06|website=www.missouribotanicalgarden.org}}</ref> The species can also be distinguished by habitat: where the ranges overlap, common hackberry occurs primarily in upland areas, whereas sugarberry occurs mainly in bottomland areas.<ref name=":0" />
Sugarberry's range extends from the Southeastern United States west to Texas and south to northeastern Mexico.<ref name="GRIN"/> It is also found on the island of Bermuda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.conservation.bm/southern-hackberry/ |title=Southern Hackberry (''Celtis laevigata'') |work=Bermuda's Species |publisher=Department of Conservation Services, Government of Bermuda |access-date=2010-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305133306/http://www.conservation.bm/southern-hackberry/ |archive-date=2010-03-05 }}</ref>
==Ecology==
Sugarberry occurs primarily along streams and in moist soils on floodplains. Its sweetish fruit is eaten by birds and rodents,<ref>{{cite book|last=Little|first=Elbert L.|title=The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region|publisher=Knopf|location=New York|year=1980|isbn=0-394-50760-6|page=413}}</ref> helping to disperse the seeds.<ref>{{cite book |last=Peattie |first=Donald Culross |author-link=Donald C. Peattie |title=A Natural History of Western Trees |year=1953 |publisher=Bonanza Books |location=New York |pages=465–66|oclc=686922}}</ref> The leaves are eaten by a number of insects, for example caterpillars of the Io moth (''Automeris io'').
Sugarberry's leaf litter contains allelopathic chemicals that inhibit seed germination and growth in many other plant species.<ref>{{cite journal|first1=M.A.K.|last1=Lodhi|first2=E.L.|last2=Rice|year=1971|title=Allelopathic effects of ''Celtis laevigata''|journal=Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club|volume=98|issue=2|pages=83-89|doi=10.2307/2483771|jstor=2483771}}</ref>
==Cultivation and uses==
Sugarberry mixed with hackberry supplies the lumber known as hackberry. Small amounts are used for dimension stock, veneer, and containers, but the main use of sugarberry wood is for furniture. The light-colored wood can be given a light- to medium-brown finish that in other woods must be achieved by bleaching.<ref>{{Silvics |volume=2 |genus=Celtis |species=laevigata |first=Harvey E. |last=Kennedy Jr.}}</ref> The wood is also used to produce sporting goods and plywood.<ref>[http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Sugarberry/sugarber.htm Florida Forest Trees: Sugarberry (''Celtis laevigata'')] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626154646/http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Sugarberry/sugarber.htm |date=June 26, 2008 }}</ref>
Sugarberry is frequently planted as a shade-tree within its range. It is well-adapted to urban areas; its elm-like shape and warty bark make it an attractive landscape tree.
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Celtis laevigata bark.jpg|Bark File:Celtis laevigata leaf.jpg|Leaf File:Celtis laevigata fruit.jpg|Gall </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} {{Wikispecies}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060430073527/http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=275 Sugarberry Fact Sheet from Virginia Tech] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150930082103/http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/celtis/laevigata.htm U.S. Forest Service Management Considerations for Celtis laevigata] * [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500332 Flora of North America: ''Celtis laevigata''] [http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=5853&flora_id=1 RangeMap:] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070313130443/http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/celal.htm ''Celtis laevigata'' images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1529852}}
laevigata Category:Plants described in 1811 Category:Trees of Bermuda Category:Trees of Northern America