The LEAVES are simple, ovate, alternate, one-sided, 2 to 4 inches long, thick, very rough above, green on both surfaces, and the edges toothed toward the long point. The FLOWERS are inconspicuous, and the two kinds are borne on the same tree. They appear in April or May, and are of a creamy greenish color. The FRUIT is a round, somewhat oblong, drupe or berry, dark purple, ⅓ inch in diameter, ripening in September. The peduncle (fruit stem) is much longer than the petiole of the leaf. It has a thin, purplish skin, and sweet yellowish flesh. The berries frequently hang on the tree most of the winter. The WOOD is heavy, rather soft, weak, and decays readily when exposed. It is used chiefly for fuel, and occasionally for lumber. The range of this hackberry extends far into the northern and northeastern parts of the United States. SUGARBERRY (Sugar Hackberry) Celtis laevigata Willd. Sugarberry is distributed widely over the eastern half of the state. It occurs most abundantly and attains greatest size in rich alluvial soil, but thrives on various soil types. The species may grow 30 to 50 feet high and 10 to 20 inches in diameter, though sometimes much larger. Its limbs are spreading or pendulous, forming a broad head. Its branchlets are slender, light green, glabrous or pubescent when young, and bright reddish-brown during their first winter. The BARK is pale gray and covered with prominent excrescences. The LEAVES are simple, oblong-lanceolate, one-sided, 2½ to 5 inches long, thin, smooth, with the edges entire. [Illustration: SUGARBERRY (Leaf, fruit, and twig, three-fourths natural size)] The FLOWERS, not conspicuous, are borne on slender, smooth peduncles in April or May, and are of a creamy-greenish color. The FRUIT is short-oblong to pear shaped, orange-red or yellow, ¼ inch in diameter, and ripens in September. The peduncle of the fruit is shorter or slightly longer than the petiole of the leaf. The WOOD is soft, weak, close-grained, and light yellow, and is used occasionally for flooring and furniture, but chiefly for fuel. RED MULBERRY Morus rubra L. Red mulberry occurs in eastern Texas and west to the canyon of Devils River, Valverde County. It prefers rich moist soils. It is a small tree, rarely 50 feet high and 2 feet in diameter, often growing in the shade of larger trees. The BARK is rather thin, dark grayish-brown, and peels off in long narrow flakes. [Illustration: RED MULBERRY (Twig, two-thirds natural size; leaves and fruit, one-third natural size)] The LEAVES are alternate, thin, rounded or somewhat heart-shaped, toothed, pointed, 3 to 5 inches long, rough hairy above and soft hairy beneath. Some of the leaves are mitten-shaped or lobed.