The leaves are usually rounded or tapering at the base, they can get up to six inches long and up to half as broad, usually roughly toothed along the edges except near its base. The branches are thin and are usually reddish-brown or gray. They are sometimes zigzag and can also be smooth. They are sometimes crescent-shaped and carry three bundle traces. The trunk of the hackberry tree is gray, and smoother on the younger trees.
Warts are a symbol that the tree is older and is rough and scaly.
The hackberry tree flowers do not have petals. They are arranged in clusters that droop after the leaves are partly grown. The flowers are usually a greenish-yellow color. It is usually fleshy and rounded. It ripens in September and October.