The Provence hackberry is a tree commonly found in tropical and temperate regions.
The hackberry is a deciduous ornamental tree that is popular in the Mediterranean landscape. It can grow up to 25 meters tall in its native habitat, though it grows to a lesser height in colder regions.
Slender and straight, the trunk—which easily reaches 1 meter in diameter—features prominent buttresses at its base.
A beautiful shade tree that has been replaced by faster-growing plane trees in cities across southern France.
It has a long lifespan.
Its alternate leaves are rough and resemble those of a stinging nettle; in fact, the tree’s most common English name is “nettle tree.”
The fruits are fleshy (drupes) and edible, ranging in color from red to black. They are called micocoules and are used to flavor a type of liquor.
When turned, hackberry isn't the most pleasant wood to work with, but depending on the grain pattern, it can make for a beautiful panel that's more enjoyable to carve.
