Celtis laevigata or sugar hackberry is a hardy, is a non-native species to Ontario, originating from the southeastern United States west to Texas and south to northeastern Mexico, and it is also found on the island of Bermuda. It can grow in a wide variety of soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but prefers well-drained acidic soil. This species is well-suited for urban environments due to its strong resistance to pollution, soil compaction, nutrient poor soil and drought tolerance. It produces sweet, edible red/purple fruits that attract birds and mammals and serves as a host for the Hackberry Emperor butterfly and various moth larvae. This species is often confused with the species Celtis iguanaea and Celtis tenuifolia. Although currently limited availability exists in the tree nursery, this tree could become more popular as demand grows.