Hackberry, celtis occidentalis

This species is found sporadically in southern Quebec around the greater Montreal area as well as in rare places such as the ecological reserve in the Ste-Angèle de Bécancour sector opposite Trois-Rivières on the shore. south of the river. It is also found more abundantly in the United States. The tree grows equally well on moist soils along watercourses as well as in drier rocky places. It needs average sunlight on moist soil but grows a little better on dry soil. The tree reaches a size of between 12 and 20 meters. The trunk is covered with dark gray warty bark from a certain age which gives it a charming and decorative appearance. The leaves are alternate, 5 to 10 cm long and oval in shape. The flowers, which appear in early May, are bisexual and divided into five pieces. The red-brown fruits, which are an ovoid or globose drupe, are edible. Measuring 7 to 10 mm in diameter, they hang on short pedicels. A 5 mm wide yellowish core is present inside the fruit. The species is an excellent choice for urban environments and landscaping and easily replaces the American elm as is the case in developments in Quebec City.