The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Tree, Plant and Wood I.D. => Topic started by: TKehl on May 03, 2017, 01:16:03 PM

Title: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: TKehl on May 03, 2017, 01:16:03 PM
Took the kids for a ride between floods when I ran across a large tree I didn't recognize.  First thought it was an Elm.  On closer inspection I think it is Hackberry.  Similar leaves to Elm, but not as deeply serrated.  I expected warty bark though (this one is more flaky, but a few warts can be found higher up), but if Hackberry, I've never seen one this big and maybe the bark changes as it ages. 

(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/Hackberry_maybe.jpg)

Sorry, no leaf pics (branches too high) and I only had my old phone to take a picture with.  Tape measure is at 4' for reference.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: jaciausa on May 03, 2017, 02:02:34 PM
Hard to tell, except the loose bark and size would indicate that it is not hackberry. Is there any old leaves on ground?
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: TKehl on May 03, 2017, 03:49:43 PM
The bark and size are what threw me as well. 

The Missouri champion Hackberry is around 5-6' diameter (quick calc from diameter).  So, while bigger than I've seen, it's probably not even noteworthy.

There are probably old leaves around, but there are Elm around as well and the leaves look close enough to be siblings or cousins.  Definitely not like a Maple or Gum.  Definitely not a "frond" (name please?) like Walnut, Hickory, or Locust.  Will try to get more pictures with better camera next time I'm out.  Tree is a bit over half a mile from the house between pastures.  Was looking for big dead stuff to slab.   ;D

Really everything lines up but the bark.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: jaciausa on May 03, 2017, 07:47:29 PM
I would need more views of the bark just to make a guess. You say it is not hickory!
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: TKehl on May 04, 2017, 08:00:07 AM
Definitely not Hickory.  Leaves are wrong. 

Will take a better camera and more pics next time I'm back there.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: WDH on May 04, 2017, 08:39:36 PM
Looks like white oak to me from the bark.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: Magicman on May 04, 2017, 09:56:48 PM
Me too Danny, but he said that the leaves:
QuoteSimilar leaves to Elm, but not as deeply serrated.
This left me puzzled.   smiley_headscratch
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: NWP on May 04, 2017, 11:28:44 PM
It's hackberry.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: TKehl on May 08, 2017, 07:45:54 AM
Here are some better pictures.

Leaves:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02481.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243754)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02490.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243757)
Upper branches showing warts like I would expect on Hackberry:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02488.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243757)
Whole tree:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02489.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243755)
Bark details:
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02483.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243754)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/44195/DSC02485.JPG?easyrotate_cache=1494243754)
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: WDH on May 08, 2017, 07:47:05 AM
Yes, it is hackberry.  The big ones around here have smoother bark, not that scaly. 
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: TKehl on May 08, 2017, 12:16:32 PM
Thanks!  Yes, the bark was confusing me something fierce.
Title: Re: Is this a Hackberry?
Post by: Brad_bb on May 18, 2017, 08:39:19 AM
The bark in the second branch picture sealed it for me along with the leaves.  It is hackberry.