The hackberry tree is one of the most common trees around Nashville, so it pays to know how to identify it. Nashville Tree Service (NTS) has cared for trees in Nashville and surrounding areas since 2018.
What Is a Hackberry Tree?
Hackberry is a native U.S. tree, also known as the nettletree. A mature hackberry grows 40 to 100 feet tall, with a trunk up to 3-4 feet wide. Hackberry trees have a very strong structure with very dense wood fibers. However, that dense wood makes the limbs heavy. Heavy limbs often break and leave a cavity where water can enter the tree and cause structural problems. Once water gets in, the trunk holds it until the wood eventually rots. As a result, a hackberry tree near your home or other structures deserves a close eye.
Why Is My Hackberry Tree Sticky?
Structural issues are not the only concern. Hackberry trees also drip a sticky residue that makes a mess of anything underneath. Many people think it is sap. In reality, woolly aphids feed on the leaves, suck out the tree’s juices and excrete a sticky, smelly substance called honeydew. Then sooty mold grows on the honeydew and blackens cars, homes and anything else under the tree. Thankfully, we can treat hackberry trees for woolly aphids to prevent these problems. Call NTS today for your free inspection.
Caring for Hackberry Trees on Your Property
Many people consider the hackberry more of a weed than a tree because it grows so quickly. If you have hackberry trees on your property, have them inspected at least once a year, just like any other large tree.
Think you have a hackberry tree? NTS can set up a free inspection and give you an estimate for care or removal. Contact the NTS team today!
Need help from a local pro? Nashville Tree Service provides professional tree trimming and tree removal throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Request a free estimate or call 615-294-0211.












