64a Hackberry Millersville
The border of Crossgates Golf Course and Millersville University, Millersville PA

According to Champion Trees of Pennsylvania (pabigtrees.com), this tree had a trunk circumference of 185 inches in 2018, a spread of 93 feet, and an impressive height of 103 feet.  As such, it can perhaps be considered the co-champion Hackberry for the state of Pennsylvania. 

Some people follow the 3 x 3 Rule when deciding whether two trees are co-champions.  Under this rule, co-champions are designated if (a) their measurement point total is less than 100 and within 3 of each other; or (b) their point total is more than 100 and within 3% of each other.   A Bucks County Hackberry has a point total of 320, while the Millersville tree’s total is 311.  Our tree, then, just barely qualifies as state co-champion.

The nipple gall that often forms on lower leaf surfaces is a distinguishing characteristic of Hackberries and is caused by the jumping plant louse (psyllids). 

This amazing species is the only host plant for the Hackberry Emperor Butterfly, which itself is unusual because it rarely visits flowers.

[The tree photos are from pabigtrees. com]

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