Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is an indigenous North American hardwood species often found throughout the eastern United States. While historically overlooked in commercial woodworking, hackberry is gaining recognition for its practical utility and unique appearance. This article explores the wood’s distinctive look, mechanical characteristics, and common applications.
Identifying Characteristics of Hackberry Wood
Hackberry wood presents a light, generally uniform appearance, with little difference between the heartwood and sapwood. The sapwood is typically the most prominent part of the lumber, displaying a pale yellow to creamy white color, sometimes with a light grayish cast. The heartwood, when present, is only slightly darker, ranging from yellowish-gray to light brown.
The wood is susceptible to fungal discoloration, often resulting in a blue-gray stain if not quickly dried after milling. This staining is sometimes intentionally enhanced to create a unique, spalted look for specialty applications. The grain is usually straight, but it can also be interlocked, giving the wood an irregular and occasionally wavy appearance.
The texture is moderately coarse and uneven due to its ring-porous structure. Like oak and ash, hackberry has distinct bands of large pores visible in the earlywood. This porous structure contributes to its resemblance to ash, and it is sometimes used as a substitute.
Physical Properties and Workability
Hackberry is classified as a medium-density hardwood, averaging approximately 37 pounds per cubic foot dried. Its Janka hardness rating is similar to or slightly softer than black walnut, providing moderate resistance to denting. It is considered a heavy wood with medium bending strength and notable shock resistance, though it is relatively low in stiffness.
The wood has good working characteristics with both hand and machine tools, planing and turning well. However, interlocked grain can make machining challenging, increasing the risk of tearout when planing and requiring sharp cutting edges. Hackberry is highly regarded for its excellent steam-bending classification, making it pliable for curved components.
Hackberry has a high volumetric shrinkage, meaning it is prone to movement if not processed carefully. It dries readily with minimal degradation, but prompt drying methods are necessary to prevent fungal or oxidative stains. Once dried, the wood accepts stains satisfactorily, allowing it to mimic the appearance of more expensive species like ash or elm.
Common Uses in Woodworking
The combination of moderate hardness, shock resistance, and relatively low cost makes hackberry a versatile option. It is frequently employed in utility furniture, such as chairs and tables, where durability is important but a highly figured grain is not required. Its stability and good gluing properties also make it a suitable material for core stock in plywood and veneer.
Hackberry is commonly used in millwork, doors, and kitchen cabinets, providing a cost-effective alternative to woods with similar mechanical properties. Because it possesses high shock resistance and is excellent for steam bending, it is utilized for bent parts, such as tool handles or athletic equipment components. Historically, its lack of distinct odor or taste led to its use in wooden containers for food items.