How to identify witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) | TREE ID #12

My tips for tree identification
RECOMMENDED FIELD GUIDES
-Trees of the Eastern and Central United States and Canada, by William M. Harlow
-The Tree Identification Book, by George W.D. Symonds
LEAF ARRANGEMENT
-Alternate: leaves grow one and then the other along the direction of growth
-Opposite: leaves grow immediately across from each other, e.g. families, Maple, Ash, Dogwood, Buckeye (“MADBuck”)
-Whorled: leaves radiate out from stem or branch at a single point, e.g. Catalpa
-Hint: the growth pattern shows up with twigs, too
LEAF SHAPE
-Needles (pines) or broad leaves (maples)
-Are leaves simple (cherry) or compound (ash)
-Leaf edges can be smooth, serrate, and/or lobed
FLOWERS, FRUITS, SEED
-Sketch seasonal growths on the tree such as clusters of male flowers (catkins), cones, and seeds with wings (samaras)
BARK
-Note color and texture, but be aware that these traits can change with age
-Using only bark for tree identification can prove unreliable
WHY IS TREE ID IMPORTANT?
-Knowing which trees are growing on a site can tell us about the soil, climate and other environmental conditions there.
-Certain trees make good lumber, paper, medicines, and food that people need.
-Some animals depend on particular trees for food or shelter.
-Certain plants and mushrooms in a forest may grow best when near other types of trees.
-Sometimes trees from other areas become invasive and need to be removed.
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Creator: Martin J. Calabrese
#naturalistMarty #VirtualHikes
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[@insideout8814]

Thanks!

[@patrick.forget]

Great video. To the point and very easy to follow. Keep it up

[@MartyCalabrese]

Appreciate that-THANKS!

[@juangerard7816]

this guy deserve 1 mil subs ngl

[@MartyCalabrese]

Thanks!

[@TheNorma]

Very interesting. I never know what I'm looking at

[@MartyCalabrese]

Haha. Well, hopefully this helped a bit!

[@christophernixon5295]

Enjoyed your information. I didn't know what pollinated this species. And, I didn't know about the aphid galls looking like little witch hats. That is helpful. Was searching to find out if witch hazel supports any leptidopteran larvae. I am a big fan of Doug Tallamy's work (Bringing Nature Home, Natures Best Hope and his other books) and really want to utilize species that feed the base of the food chain - especially the birds feeding nestlings and young. Thanks again!

[@MartyCalabrese]

Wow, thank you. And yes, I have seen Doug Tallamy speak and that was a real gift! -Marty

[@undercarver8777]

Thanks! Been meaning to learn more trees and shrubs.

[@MartyCalabrese]

Happy to deliver!

[@marioj773]

Very informative Marty! 👌🏾Mario

[@MartyCalabrese]

Thanks bud

[@alliehamilton-calhoun162]

I planted a witch hazel last spring in my native garden. The squirrels chewed a lot of it off over the winter, and I've been babying it all spring. Today, while I was at work, the lawn care guy pushed aside all of the edging stones I had around it with his riding mower and mowed it down to the ground. I just stood there next to its remains and cried. Are they resilient shrubs? Is there any hope?!

[@GeorgeCoggins]

both the leaves and fruit remind me of a shrub that tried to evolve into an oak tree lol. do you know if they are found in northeastern Pennsylvania by chance? specificly around Scranton

[@MartyCalabrese]

Yes, common witch-hazel occur throughout PA and beyond! Thanks for the question. -Marty