The European or Mediterranean Hackberry Tree

The European or Mediterranean Hackberry tree (Celtis australis L.) was highly regarded in the Andalusí era, and was cultivated both in gardens as well as in farmhouses and agricultural properties. It was associated with irrigation canals, watercourses, enclosures, walls and boundaries. Its wood, which is elastic and flexible, was much valued for its use in all kinds of craft activities. It was used to make pitchforks, oars, wheels and parts of devices to raise or carry water. It is also a beautiful tree which provides cool shade in the summer and its edible fruits (hackberries) are a source of food for numerous birds once winter has set in. There is an abundance of hackberry trees in the Monument, and some specimens on the boundaries of the Generalife vegetable gardens are very old. They are also very numerous in the San Pedro wooded area and are very tall and large in the Alameda de Gomérez.