Audubon® Native Sugarberry Treeling

You probably don’t know Sugarberry, but your neighborhood birds do! This Elm relative (it does not get Dutch Elm disease) flies under most people’s radar, but it does not go unnoticed by birds. In early fall, its sweet and nutritious, reddish-brown fruits are feasted upon by robins, mockingbirds, Cedar Waxwings, orioles, and cardinals. In rural areas, turkeys, Ruffed Grouse, quail, ducks, and pheasants will partake. (Were it not for the large, rock-hard seeds, people would like the date-flavored fruits, too!) To top it all off, Sugarberry’s twiggy branches make choice nesting sites for robins and other tree-dwellers.

Sugarberry is a sister to the Common Hackberry, another tough, native shade tree that nourishes wildlife. The two trees are similar in many respects, though Sugarberry usually has a smoother bark (at times Beech-like), and a more southernly distribution (it is native throughout the Southeast). Both are first-class butterfly trees in addition to being stellar bird trees. They attract Hackberry butterflies, Tawny Emperors, Mourning Cloaks, Question Marks, and American Snouts. Some of these lovelies will end up in the bellies of birds. Others will go on to live out their lives in your garden.

Sugarberry should be called the “Butterfly Tree” for the wealth of butterflies it supports. Perhaps the most charming is the Hackberry butterfly. This endearing little creature loves people (actually, it likes to sip the salts from our skin). You may feel a tickle while you’re working in the garden and find a Hackberry butterfly has landed on you!

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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