The leaf is alternate, simple, with the edge being sharply toothed. Warty projections decorate the otherwise smooth, grey bark on old portions of the tree. The fleshy, berry-like fruit, which is suspended on long stems, ripens to a deep purple color in September. The berry usually remains on the tree through winter. It is an important food for wild turkey, flicker, yellow bellied sapsucker, mocking bird, brown thrasher, robin, eastern blue bird, cedar waxwing, cardinal, and raccoon.
Twigs are slender and light brown, becoming grey at maturity.
The light colored pith is broken by intermittent chambers. Buds are small and triangular shaped. Thick clusters of twigs called witch's brooms are found on many hackberries, particularly open grown or ornamental trees. A mite insect and a fungus are suspects of causing these witch's brooms. Commercial use of hackberry has become rather unimportant.