The hackberry is a medium tree, 33-82 feet tall and 50 feet wide and a member of the elm family. The leaves are alternate and simple. The tree is a good landscape choice with a broad crown and arching branches, and it withstands wind and city conditions.

The fruit, dark red berries, is a popular food for birds. The wood in earlier years was used for barrel hoops as well as pioneer cabins and durable wood flooring. It grows well in zones 3-9 and is medium to fast growing.