Lynnette Henderson
Winter's Fruit - Hackberries
Celtis occidentalis. January. With the ground frozen, snow-covered and iced over, there is not much food for wildlife. The resident squirrels have been dining on the fruit of this tree for days. The following day, I saw wild turkeys in another hackberry tree!
Historically, early Americans made cakes by pulvorizing the entire fruit, including the seeds. They made a sweet bread from it, one which could be stored and used indefinitely. The cakes often provided sustenance to weary explorers on their westward treks. The Dakotas used the dried fruit as a spice, and other Native Americans used extracts of the tree to treat sore throats, coughs, and colds.
But perhaps the real value of this tree is that It is one of the best food and shelter plants for wildlife. Its berries remain on its branches throughout the winter months. Quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, warblers and cedar waxwings also feed on its fruit. Also, it is pollinated by bees, and in turn the bees produce honey for those of us who love it. Honey is now being used medicinally in New Zealand, and many of us are concerned about the decreasing numbers of honeybees. Yet another of its valuable qualities is that it is larval and nectar source for so many butterflies, the tawny emperor and the mourning cloak, among many others.
Winter's Fruit - Hackberries
Celtis occidentalis. January. With the ground frozen, snow-covered and iced over, there is not much food for wildlife. The resident squirrels have been dining on the fruit of this tree for days. The following day, I saw wild turkeys in another hackberry tree!
Historically, early Americans made cakes by pulvorizing the entire fruit, including the seeds. They made a sweet bread from it, one which could be stored and used indefinitely. The cakes often provided sustenance to weary explorers on their westward treks. The Dakotas used the dried fruit as a spice, and other Native Americans used extracts of the tree to treat sore throats, coughs, and colds.
But perhaps the real value of this tree is that It is one of the best food and shelter plants for wildlife. Its berries remain on its branches throughout the winter months. Quail, pheasants, woodpeckers, warblers and cedar waxwings also feed on its fruit. Also, it is pollinated by bees, and in turn the bees produce honey for those of us who love it. Honey is now being used medicinally in New Zealand, and many of us are concerned about the decreasing numbers of honeybees. Yet another of its valuable qualities is that it is larval and nectar source for so many butterflies, the tawny emperor and the mourning cloak, among many others.