Each fall, SMA members nom-
inate and vote for the Urban
Tree of the Year; in 2020, the
winner of that distinction is
hackberry (Celtis occidentalis).
In this tribute to the humble
and hardworking hackberry, we
hear from New York Tree Trust
Development Director James
Kaechele; State of Wyoming
Community Resource Forester
Tara Costanzo; Upper Arlington,
Ohio Parks and Forestry
Superintendent Steve Cothrel;
City of Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Urban Forester Rebecca Lane;
Hamilton, Ontario Supervisor of
Urban Forestry Tami Sadonoja;
Cornell Urban Horticulture
Institute Director Nina Bassuk
and City Trees Editor Michelle
Sutton; and Virginia Tech
University Arborist Jamie King.
Hackberry
(Celtis occidentalis)
Compiled by Michelle Sutton, City Trees Editor
Announcing the 2020 SMA
Urban Tree of the Year:
James Kaechele with hackberry street tree in Syracuse,
New York. Photo Courtesy James Kaechele
www.urban-forestry.com 35
