A Guide To Growing The Hackberry Tree And Tree Trimming Service | Dallas Fort Worth Area

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Hackberry trees are commonly found throughout much of Texas, including the Dallas Fort Worth Area. They are a very fast-growing native deciduous tree that not only looks great but also provides fruit and helps to create shade in your yard.

Hackberry trees grow very tall and often reach 80 feet in height. They can produce a canopy that spreads 50 feet. These trees have red berries which darken to purple when they are ripe. They also produce attractive green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. Hackberry trees are grown in both urban and rural areas. They can be a lovely addition to a landscaping project and are long-lasting as long as they receive the correct care.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Hackberry Tree, including when to book a tree trimming service. S&P Tree Service can provide professional tree removal, stump removal, landscaping, and tree trimming service. Let’s look at the features and care of a hackberry tree to help you decide whether this native species is right for you.

What Is a Hackberry Tree?

Hackberry trees are sometimes called Texas sugarberries. They belong to the elm family and are a fast-growing, tall perennial tree. These trees grow a nice canopy and have a lovely light-colored bark. Their branches produce tapered leaves, and the tree blooms between February and April with small light green flowers.

In the spring, Hackberry trees produce red fruits, which will darken as the season changes. Often hackberry berries are eaten by birds. You’ll often see Mistletoe growing on the hackberry tree, which is an added bonus during the holiday season.

How to Care for a Hackberry Tree

Hackberry trees often grow along the sides of waterways in Texas. They prefer shady positions and shouldn’t be planted in full sun. Many homeowners plant Hackberry trees along their property’s boundaries or along the sides of roads. The tree’s wood can be turned into plywood and used to produce furniture. Here are some tree care tips for Hackberry trees:

Planting a Hackberry Tree

Hackberries are best planted in areas of partial shade; they do like some sun. These trees naturally grow in moist soil, which is why they are often found growing near water sources. Perhaps surprisingly, considering their preferred growing location, these trees are actually very drought tolerant. That being said, trees do often drop their leaves during times of drought, so it may be beneficial to water your trees if you live in a very dry area.

Before planting hackberry trees, it’s a wise idea to test and adjust your soil’s pH range. These trees prefer soil that is very fertile, as this helps support their growth. Soil should have a pH of between 6.0 to 8.0.

It’s a good idea to put a thick layer of organic mulch around your trees to improve the soil condition and help conserve moisture if you live in a dry area. Wood chips are an effective mulch for Hackberry trees. When mulching trees, ensure that you don’t put organic matter against its trunk, as this can cause the trunk to rot.

Mulch can be used to lower soil pH, which is beneficial if you have alkaline soil. Hackberry trees grow well in USDA zones 3a to 9b.

Tree Trimming Service

Hackberry trees need to be pruned regularly; you may like to call on the help of a tree trimming service if you don’t know how to prune your trees. Trees that have weak branches will be more prone to breakages.

It’s essential to prune your tree regularly in the first fifteen years of its life as this is the time when the tree will create a sturdy structure. It’s best to ask a tree trimming service to prune your hackberry tree while it’s dormant, as the pruner will be less likely to create accidental wounds. Any branches that are either weak, dying, or growing in an odd direction can be removed.

Common Pests

Hackberry trees can become infested with woolly aphids. These small insects measure just 1/10th of an inch and have a fuzzy white covering on their bodies. They feed on the Hackberry’s foliage and suck the sap from the tree.

As the insects feed, they create a sticky substance known as honeydew, which will start to cover the plant. During an infestation, you’ll find that your tree gets covered in honeydew which can then cause a black fungus to grow called sooty mold. This fungus stops the tree from absorbing sunlight and can be very messy.

The best way to get rid of the aphids is to release a natural predator into your tree, such as the convergent lady beetle. There are also pesticides available that will kill the pests.

Disease

Many Hackberry trees suffer from wood decay which is caused by a fungal infection. Rot diseases slowly destroy and will eventually kill the tree’s wood which will lead to the death of the tree.

If you suspect your tree has started to rot, you can remove the affected branches to stop the fungus from spreading. Ensure that you destroy any branches you remove so that the fungus doesn’t get passed onto other trees and shrubs. Hackberry trees that have been left to decay and have extensive damage will need to be removed.

Hackberry trees can also suffer from Witches’ broom fungal disease and powdery mildew.

S&P Tree Service, Tree Trimming Service, Dallas Fort Worth Area

If you have Hackberry trees growing on your property and are looking for advice about their care or need a tree trimming service, don’t hesitate to contact S&P Tree Service. The company is family-operated and has an excellent reputation in the local community. They can provide professional tree or stump removal, landscaping, tree planting, and tree trimming service.

If you live in Dallas, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for a tree trimming service, don’t hesitate to contact S&P today at 469-789-6775.