Hackberry has a heartwood that is light brown to grey in color and a wide sapwood that is a contrasting light yellow color. The grain is usually straight and it has a very coarse uneven texture. The end grain is ring-porous. Hackberry is rated as non-durable to perishable in regards to decay. The wood is good to work with and responds superbly to steam bending. It also glues, turns, stains, and finishes well.