Tree Talk: Witch-Hazel

Happy Halloween! This time on Tree Talk we discuss witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. If you’re as spellbound as we are by this common yet unique understory species, check out this article by the great Jenny McGarvey: www.alliancefo....
For more information on forests and forest management, visit us at www.forestsforthebay.org.
Filmed and edited by Allyson Wells.

[@hilltopmel9150]

You just helped me ID one on my property. Thank you from West Virginia!

[@willkay9081]

Happy I found this series , this is great.

[@wildabezet860]

I actually identified witch hazel on our property in the spring or summer by the shape of the leaf. I found my first tree so quickly after going out to search that I couldn’t believe I had actually found one. It wasn’t long before I found a number of trees. After coming back at different times of the year, I was able see both the flowers and the seed. As soon as it starts blooming this year, I plan to harvest some twigs and make my own witch hazel. I can hardly wait. The tiny buds are there.

[@stevemurray6543]

I have a few I have planted in the garden beds. Love them.

[@lauraevans174]

I loved this, thank you. My property in CT is loaded with this wonderful plant. When we moved here originally. couldn't figure out what the amazing scent was in the late fall, and it turned out to be witch hazel. I look forward to that, and all the starry yellow flowers each October.

[@stevenfairless4931]

disparaging dowsers? 🙊 I enjoyed your very informative Tree Talk .. I'll check out Jenny's article also .. Thanks !!

[@colinhalliley111]

When harvesting wreath foliage I brought home a few with nuts on them not knowing what they were. After being in the heat they started loudly popping ! I noticed the Witch Hazel smell and realized what they were. Mother Nature is amazing.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

how lovely! I think I'll share that when doing tree identification walks in the future :)

[@colinhalliley111]

@@forestsforthebay4784 😊

[@UniversalDirt]

Good presentation. Thanks.

[@ElHuertodeAzul]

Very interesting and informative, thank you!

[@screwtapez]

This is awesome!

[@mmoooosh]

what a beautiful tree/shrub🌳🌼

[@stanhope5826]

thank you so much for this video! it helped me with a school project on witch hazel. this and the article provided gave me a lot of information about witch hazel. it also might help in the future in identifying witch hazel!

[@GarrettKopp]

Thanks for the knowledge & content.

[@embercattle]

Nice overview of witch hazel!

[@riverrat8693]

Well done

[@nicolenew1708]

AMAZING

[@JBMindset]

I love your channel. Great video on Witch-hazel. Do you happen to know about how long they live?

[@forestsforthebay4784]

Thanks so much!!! Unfortunately no, I don't know though! I can't find that info anywhere either; someone should do a study!

[@JBMindset]

@@forestsforthebay4784 I guess they truly are magical.

[@forestsforthebay4784]

@@JBMindset haha that settles it, they must be!

[@markjones5561]

LOL. Loved the 'witch's hat' :)

[@whatabouttheearth]

I thought it was that 'witch' derived from 'wick'/'wicker' which is denoting plant branches but means 'bending' or 'to bend'. Might be because of its form

[@veelash3505]

Can you propagate witch hazel from branches?

[@olusolaolaosebikan4376]

Thank you for your information I got the information about why this plant call witch hazel but I still need some more information why this plant called witch hazel thanks

[@forestsforthebay4784]

"Witch hazel is bewitching for more reasons than its phenology and ecology. The origin theory for its common name is from the Middle English word “wicke” meaning “lively.” The Mohegan Tribe is believed to have taught early European settlers to use the Y-shaped branches as dowsing sticks to detect precious metals and underground springs. The branch is said to be lively and bend towards the ground when water is detected below. In Great Britain, dowsers used Ulmus glabra to detect water, which they called the witch hazel tree and likely inspired the shared common name."
That's an excerpt from this article written by one of our team members a few years ago, which I highly recommend: www.allianceforthebay.org/2017/10/the-bewitching-witch-hazel-hamamelis-virginiana/

[@whatabouttheearth]

I thought it was that 'witch' derived from 'wick'/'wicker' (weik/weika/wicca) which is denoting plant branches but means 'bending' or 'to bend'. Might be because of its form.
Witch Hazel is/was used for water dowsing sticks, aka 'water witching', the meaning of the word 'witch' is more than likely related to branches and probably also the word 'switch' (as in what my grandma used to whoop my butt with)
It's really debated, etymology is complex sometimes.

[@brianthomason5022]

Trying to figure Out where it got its name tho

[@LittlePieceOfHeaven.65]

watch the video ...duh!

[@gabepenner3416]

I prefer marajuan than witch hazel

[@caliyaqui8631]

Marajuan?

[@stanhope5826]

@@caliyaqui8631 i think they meant marijuana

[@kylesanders9598]

Shlonk dank weds bro 420 hahahaha

[@aa3865]

i love you

[@jccapwell]

Z