Common Hackberry vs Sugar Maple (Hard Maple)
Celtis occidentalis
Acer saccharum
The Common Hackberry is a medium-sized deciduous tree that resembles the American Elm but is immune to Dutch Elm Disease. They are versatile and can adapt to a variety of growing conditions.
It produces purple-red, berry-like fruit with a large seed in the center. Both the sweet flesh, which tastes similar to dates, and the crunchy seed are edible. The fruit remains on the tree throughout the winter, offering a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife.
The Common Hackberry can also be a great addition to a pollinator garden. The tree itself is a host for the larvae of several butterfly species and the flowers provide a source of pollen and nectar.
Sugar Maple is a large, deciduous tree known for its brilliant fall yellow, orange, and red-orange color display.
This long-lived shade tree features unique "maple"
lobed leaves.
Note: this Zone 4 tree is unlikely to produce commercially viable sap on the prairies.