Organic Forest Plants & More

American Witchhazel

Trees and Shrubs

Zones

: 3 - 8

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Tree / Shrub

Mature Size: Height: 8 - 20 ft. Height at 20 years: 15 ft.

Flowers: Winter

Fruit: Spring - Summer

Common alternate names for American Witchhazel: common witchhazel

Scientific name for American Witchhazel: Hamamelis virginiana L.

Planting Information: 

Prefers partial sunlight and "water's edge" moisture condition, or a site that is saturated or shallowly flooded for most of the growing season (e.g. streambank, shoreline, or floodplain areas prone to occasional flooding).

Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. pH should be between 4.5 and 6.2.

After harvestation of the tree, new sprouts will begin to form on the stump. The sprouts will be ready to harvest agian in 6-8 years.

Colors: Leaves: deciduous, yellow in fall. Flowers: yellow, conspicuous. Fruit: brown.

Edible - food uses of American Witchhazel: NA

Healing medicinal qualities of American Witchazel: 

The entire plant can be processed to create a naturally astringent liquid that is used in health and beauty products. In particular, this astringent sooths skin irritations (including burns and bug bites). 

Native Americans used a potion taken from the leaves and twigs to treat minor wounds, abrasions, and other ailments.

A tea made from witchhazel can be taken to relieve lung ailments, diarrhea, and sore
muscles.

Other uses for American Witchhazel:

Timber & Firewood

Wildlife:

The seeds are eaten by wild turkey, northern bobwhite and gray squirrel. Witchhazel is pollinated by nocturnal winter moths.

General description and characteristics of American Witchhazel:

American Witchhazel has been a source of medicine for centuries, and it is still used in most pharmacies today.

Witchhazel primarily grows in the understories of hardwood forests, rarely attaining heights greater than 20 ft. It often grows in association with tree species like white ash and red oak.

Witchhazel has round, blunt toothed leaves that are dense in the summer and turn yellow in autumn.

There are approzimately 1100 seeds per pound.

The plant is very useful, although it is slow-growing.