Sugarberry: The Underrated Native Tree That Wildlife Absolutely Love
If you’re looking for a native tree that punches above its weight in the wildlife department, let me introduce you to sugarberry (Celtis laevigata). This unassuming member of the elm family might not win any beauty contests, but it’s absolutely beloved by birds and other critters – and that makes it pretty special in my book.
What Exactly Is Sugarberry?
Sugarberry is a perennial native tree that’s truly American-made, naturally occurring across an impressive 31 states from coast to coast. You might also see it listed under its synonym Celtis mississippiensis, but don’t let that confuse you – it’s the same wonderful tree.
This adaptable native grows throughout Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Talk about coast-to-coast coverage!
The Wildlife Magnet You Never Knew You Needed
Here’s where sugarberry really shines – it’s like a bustling diner for wildlife. While it provides a modest 2-5% of large animals’ diets and 5-10% for small mammals and terrestrial birds, those orange berries are absolutely treasured by our feathered friends. The tree might not offer much cover, but when those berries ripen, it becomes Grand Central Station for hungry wildlife.
What Does Sugarberry Actually Look Like?
Let’s be honest – sugarberry isn’t going to make the cover of Beautiful Trees Monthly. But it has its own understated charm:
- Small, inconspicuous green flowers in early spring (they’re more functional than flashy)
- Orange fruit that appears in summer and persists through fall
- Green foliage with medium texture that turns yellow in fall
- Distinctive gray bark with characteristic warty bumps
- Can reach up to 80 feet tall at maturity, though typically stays around 35 feet after 20 years
- Single-stem growth form with an erect, spreading shape
Where Sugarberry Thrives in Your Landscape
Sugarberry is remarkably adaptable, which explains its wide distribution. It’s particularly happy in:
- USDA hardiness zones 5-9
- Areas with 20-80 inches of annual precipitation
- Fine to medium-textured soils (it’s a bit fussy about coarse soils)
- Locations with pH between 4.4 and 7.7
- Both sunny and shady spots (it’s quite shade tolerant)
The tree has a particularly interesting relationship with water. Depending on your region, it can handle wetland conditions or drier sites, though it generally prefers consistent moisture and has low drought tolerance.
Growing Your Own Sugarberry
Good news for impatient gardeners – sugarberry is routinely available commercially and relatively easy to establish:
- Plant from containers, bare root, or try your hand at cuttings
- Seeds need cold stratification and there are about 2,200 seeds per pound
- Expect moderate growth rates once established
- Plant 170-300 trees per acre if you’re going for a naturalistic planting
- Ensure at least 150 frost-free days and temperatures above -21°F
The Reality Check: Is Sugarberry Right for You?
Plant sugarberry if you:
- Want to support native wildlife
- Have space for a medium to large tree
- Prefer low-maintenance, adaptable plants
- Are creating naturalistic landscapes
- Value ecological function over perfect aesthetics
Think twice if you:
- Want a showstopper ornamental tree
- Have limited space (remember, it can get quite large)
- Live in a very dry climate (it needs consistent moisture)
- Want something with spectacular flowers or fall color
Caring for Your Sugarberry
Once established, sugarberry is refreshingly low-maintenance. It has medium anaerobic tolerance, moderate fire tolerance, and can resprout if damaged. The tree is allelopathic (meaning it can inhibit other plants growing nearby), so keep that in mind when planning understory plantings.
Water regularly during establishment, especially since it has high moisture requirements. After that, you can mostly let nature take its course – this native knows how to take care of itself.
The Bottom Line
Sugarberry might not be the most glamorous tree in the nursery, but it’s exactly the kind of hardworking native that makes ecosystems function. If you have the space and want to support local wildlife while adding a bit of authentic American character to your landscape, sugarberry deserves serious consideration. Sometimes the best garden plants are the ones that quietly do their job while everyone else is trying to steal the show.
