19 - Witch Hazel
Image of the Tree You are Viewing
Basic Information about this tree
- Scientific Name, Family: Hamamelis virginiana
- Common Names: Witch hazel
- This tree was donated by the St. Croix Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution April 24, 2026 and planted by Master Gardeners Peter and Kim.
- Native or invasive: Native
- Deciduous or Evergreen: Deciduous
- Image of the tree you are viewing: GPS Coordinates 45.00310N Latitude 92.90330 W
- Deciduous
Branch Structure: Tends to form multiple stems, creating a spreading bush shape
Typical height and width at maturity: 15 ft tall by 12 ft wide
Typical longevity: 30 years.
Soil, water, sunlight preferences: Full sun to full shade, medium-moist acidic soil
Growth habit of roots: a robust, woody, and branched taproot system that typically extends 2–3 feet deep, with lateral roots spreading 3–4 feet, providing high resilience and drought tolerance. It has a shallow, slow-growing, and somewhat sensitive root system that prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil.
Mature Tree in Winter and in Summer
Leaves in Summer
Leaves in Autumn
Flowers - Monoecious
Hamamelis virginiana are monoecious, meaning they have both male and female reproductive structures on the same plant.
“Perfect” Flowers: Each individual flower contains both male (stamens) and female (pistil) parts. While each flower has both parts, they often act as either male (producing pollen) or female (producing fruit) to encourage cross-pollination. Self-Incompatibility: Despite having both parts, American witch-hazel is generally self-incompatible, meaning it typically requires cross-pollination between two or more plants to produce viable seeds. Reproduction Cycle: The flower buds are brownish and fuzzy “pubescent” and bloom into fragrant, yellow flowers in late fall, but pollination and fertilization often occur months later, with seeds maturing the following summer.
Fruit Unripe / Ripe
Bark of Mature Tree
Uses in Traditional and Modern Eras
Value for wildlife: Witch hazel blooms in late fall (October–December), providing crucial nectar and pollen for bees, moths, and other pollinators when few other food sources are available. Bird Food Source: The shrub produces seeds that are explosively dispersed from capsules, attracting ground-foraging birds such as Ruffed Grouse, Northern Bobwhite, Wild Turkey, cardinals, and grosbeaks. Host Plant for Moths and Butterflies: It acts as a host plant for numerous insects, including the larvae of the Spring Azure Butterfly and various moth caterpillars, supporting over 60 species of butterflies and moths.. Small Mammal Shelter and Food: The branches and leaves are occasionally foraged by white-tailed deer, beavers, and cottontail rabbits.
Utility for Humans: Witch hazel is a natural astringent derived from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana plant, widely used for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties to treat various skin conditions and minor irritations. For example: Facial Toner and Cleanser: It acts as a natural toner to tighten pores, remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup, and soothe skin after shaving. Acne Management: Due to its astringent properties, it can help reduce inflammation and dry out blemishes. Soothes Irritation: It is effective at calming skin irritation, including bug bites, razor burn, and sun burn. Hemorrhoid Relief: Frequently used in pads or liquid form to provide temporary relief from burning, itching, and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. Scalp Health: It can be applied to the scalp to reduce sensitivity, itching, and dandruff, often used before shampooing. Minor Wound Care: It can be used as an antiseptic to clean minor cuts and scrapes. ,
Homeowner’s Corner: A very interesting large shrub, with yellow flowers in late autumn which persist through much of the winter. Witch hazel (Hamamelis spp.) is generally a very robust, pest-resistant plant with few serious insect issues, though it is commonly affected by cosmetic pests, especially leaf galls caused by aphids. These, along with occasional caterpillars, scale, or Japanese beetles, rarely cause significant health issues or kill the tree.