Witch Hazel

Monek Marie
Monek Marie Posts: 3,535 ✭✭✭✭✭
in Wildcrafting & Foraging

Witch Hazel is one of my favorite trees. I like the native variety best.

At this time of year I head out the the forested areas looking for a tree to harvest seeds or clippings from or if I am lucky small seedling under the trees. I always ask before I dig up any seedlings. Its usually from my neighbors property and he just rolls his eyes and wonders why I want these weedy trees and bushes ;)

The seeds I plant in pots and place in my nursery area. Letting them stay out in the natural climate helps them germinate naturally but protects them from small animals. I have a 80% germination rate.

We have not had a hard freeze yet so I can harvest clipping from the trees. I plant the clipping using a cold weather treatment and also place some in the greenhouse hoping to get a head started in getting them rooted. I have luck both ways but using a greenhouse I have to decide when top let them go dormant as a young seedling.

I found this fun link for Witch Hazel: https://homesteadsurvivalsite.com/ways-use-witch-hazel/

What all do you use Witch Hazel for?

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Comments

  • shayjackson
    shayjackson Posts: 25 ✭✭✭
    https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/845348/witch-hazel

    Hey Denise, thanks for the insight. I want to grow witch hazel!

    I use witch hazel in my face routine. I also use it for my pets' eye troubles (diluted of course)....

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  • annbeck62
    annbeck62 Posts: 980 ✭✭✭✭

    Interesting list. I use witch hazel but it's usually but I use as a first choice. I will try some of the uses on the list and see how they work for me.

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  • ltwickey
    ltwickey Posts: 369 ✭✭✭

    I also use witch hazel in m y face routine. But also use it for a base in sprays with essential oils for certain ailments.

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  • dipat2005
    dipat2005 Posts: 1,205 ✭✭✭✭

    @ltwickey I didn't know you could use witch hazel as a base for sprays. I really love witch hazel and have used it for scrapes and abrasions.

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  • Tave
    Tave Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭✭

    We used to always have it in the medicine cabinet for scrapes, bruises and an astringent for acne. I had almost forgot about it.

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  • SherryA
    SherryA Posts: 314 ✭✭✭

    Denise, where do you live that witch hazel is native? I don't know if I've ever seen a witch hazel tree.

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  • Monek Marie
    Monek Marie Posts: 3,535 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @SherryA

    Sherry, I live in NW Pennsylvania, zone 5B.

    I discovered this tree quite by accident while walking my hillside. I saw this scraggly tree/bush that had bright yellow delicate flowers on it. I had to climb a steep bank to get to it. So delicate and pretty - I fell in love!~

    I took a small flower with me and went looking for images that matched and a tree that blossomed off season. Wild witch hazel usually grow along fences or woodland edges. Between books and friends I identified it.

    At this time of year you can find it byu ther small brown funny looking seed pod it has. Hopefully I can go find some seeds, take cutting or find seedlings this weekend.

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  • SherryA
    SherryA Posts: 314 ✭✭✭

    I'll have to pay more attention!

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  • Monek Marie
    Monek Marie Posts: 3,535 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I ordered trees and shrubs from my local conservation department. I really wanted with hazel but they were out (yes I waited to order until the very last second, literally.

    So I went to lick up my order and they had extra plants and witch hazel was one. It really made my day!~ So I ended up with 13 and gave three away.

    https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/hamamelis-virginiana/

    I also have elderberry, red oak, white swamp oak, red twig, common lilac and red bud. I will be potting them up later today - 80 plus plants. It might keep me out of trouble

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  • Torey
    Torey Posts: 5,402 admin

    You are certainly going to be busy @Monek Marie!

    I've checked to see the zone for witch hazel. It says the wild witch hazel is hardy to zone 3 but the cultivars generally sold at garden centres are not quite as hardy; only to zone 5.

    I've never seen witch hazel sold in garden centres in my area but I'm sure they have them just a bit to the south of me. I will have to check and see which cultivars they are selling and see if I can get one for my zone.

    Very useful plant to have on hand.

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  • JennyT Upstate South Carolina
    JennyT Upstate South Carolina Posts: 1,273 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I would love to have a witch hazel! I'll have to check and see if I can find one or two locally.😊

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  • Monek Marie
    Monek Marie Posts: 3,535 ✭✭✭✭✭
    https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/912470#Comment_912470

    This witch hazel being sold by the conservation dept. is probably a hardy one. I have not seen witch hazel sold here, unless its the fancy one that6 rally is not witch hazel in my opinion.

    @JennyT Upstate South Carolina Check with your conservation dept and see if they know where they might be sold

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