Hackberry is indeed a "trash wood" if you try to use it for lumber or
firewood. However, it is a favorite of woodturners for bowls and
hollow forms, especially after spalting. (If you ever have to take out
a mature hackberry, let your local woodturning club or a professional
woodturner know before you do so . . . you may find that they are more
than willing to "dispose" of large parts of it for you.)

When freshly cut, the wood is a rather boring whitish color with little
discernable grain. However, after 6 months of spalting, the wood
typically takes on a tan or grey cast, with striking, highly
contrasting black, dark brown, and/or dark green grain. It works and
finishes well, and when finished it often reminds many people of
marble.

Typically, the logs are sawn into 2-3' lengths, with the ends and any
cuts painted with greenwood sealer and then set aside (ideally, outside
in a shaded place) for 6-12 months to spalt, and then cut in half
lengthwise and bandsawed into turning blanks.

LKB in Houston