Branches ascend in a loosely pyramidal fashion as this tree grows 40 to 60 feet in height. Insignificant flowers appear together with the leaves in April and May. Bright fruit, which starts yellow, changes to red-orange, and matures to a deep purple-black, ripens in September and October, much to the delight of wildlife. There are many large deciduous trees that are superior to the American hackberry; however, because of its adaptability, it is a tough tree, good for urban areas. This native woodland tree is best recognized by its corky, warty bark and sharply toothed leaves, which are often covered with bumpy insect galls. The leaves have an uneven base, showing the hackberry's relation to elms.