Hackberry Tree

I have a beautiful ash tree in my front yard. It is many years old and shades the front yard.  I love this tree.  But, I am sure that it will die within the next year or two.  I can see exit holes from the emerald ash borer.  The tree finally got leaves in May.  That would indicate stress.  I am having that tree cut down soon.  This makes me sad, but waiting for this tree to die is not my style.

After the tree is gone, I want a new tree in the front yard.  I like the shade.  I like trees.  They are good for the birds.  I have done a lot of research on trees.  I want a native tree that will grow tall and provide shade.  Providing food for wildlife would be a plus.  I want a low maintenance tree.

I have settled on a hackberry tree.  Hackberry is a relative of the elm.  Elms are not an option these days.  An elm pandemic took most of them.  But, the elms were favored landscape trees for many, many years.  Hackberry trees produce a small berry in the fall that is excellent food for squirrels and birds, but is not messy because the fruit is very small.  Hackberry trees are not popular landscape trees but everything I have read indicates that they should be.  I hope this fall to plant a hackberry tree in my front yard.