File:Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11 (1901) (20314780598).jpg

Title: Bulletin (Pennsylvania Department of Forestry), no. 11
Identifier: bulletinpennsylv11pennx (find matches)
Year: 1901 (1900s)
Authors: Pennsylvania. Dept. of Forestry
Subjects: Forests and forestry
Publisher: Harrisburg, Pa. : The Department : WM. Stanley Ray, state printer of Pennsylvania
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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If! .1: 168 WITCH-HAZEL Hamamelis virginiana, Linnaeus FAMILY AKD 0ENU8 DESCRIPTION—The Wltch-harel fitmilj, Hamamfelldaceae, contains about 16 genera with 50 species of which nnmber only two irenera have tree representatiyes In North America. The 2 genera are Hamamelis and Ldqaidambar. Bach genus Is represented by a single species, both native to Pennsylvania. The genus Hamamelis comprises 3 species, 2 of which are found in eastern Asia and 1 described here. FOEM—A small tree or shrub sometimes reaching a height of 25 ft. with a diameter of 14 inches, but usually smaller. Trunk short, bears nunwrous spreading, crooked branches which form a broad oi)en head. BASK—About 1/5 of an inch thick, light brown, somewhat mottled with light blotches; when young snHMth, later scaly. Inner bark reddish-purple in color. Used for medicine, extract, and gargles. TWIGS—Zigzag, light-brown with small light green pith, rather slender, often downy or scurfy especially near the end, sometimes smooth and shiny, covered with a few, scattered, white lenticels. BUDS—Alternate, 2-ranked. flattish, sometln^s curved or falcate, covered with scale-like undeveloped leaves bearing dense brown hairs. Terminal buds usually sickle-shaped, about i-J of an inch long. lateral buds few and very small. LEAVES—^Alternate, simple, oval, 4-6 Inches long, rounded or sometimes acute at apex, oblique at base, dentate on margin, dark green above, paler beneath; midrib and primary veins prominent. LEAF-SCABS—Alternate, 2-ranked. semicircular in outline with a raised margin, and contain 3 single or often compound bundle-scars which are lighter In color than the dark brown surface of the leaf-scar. FLOWEBS—Appear in October and November. Bright yellow, perfect, occur In small axillary clusters, surrounded by a scale-like 3-leaved Involucre. Buds which produce the flowers occur in clusters of 3 on short stalks, are spherical in form, and start to develop about August in the axils of the leaves. FBUIT—Ripens in October and November at the same time that the blossoms appear. It results from blossoms of the previous year, consists of a yellowish-brown woody pod with two cells in which shiny black seeds are produced. The woody );>od8 burst open when ripe, and propel the seed for 5 or more feet. WOOD—Diffuse-porous; rays not very distinct; little difference between spring and summer wood; hard, close-grained, light brown. Weighs 43 lbs. per cubic foot. Not used commercially. DISTINGUISHINO CHARA0TEBI8TICS—The Witch-haael can be distinguished in winter by its sickle-shaped, brown, terminal buds, its yellowl8h-bit)wn fruit in the form of a woody i)od with two cells, its persistent remnants of the flowers on stalks and its white blotched or mottled light brown bark. In late autumm the flowers with strap-like yellow petals are characteristic. The alternate oval leaves with straight veins and oblique bases are also distinctive. It usually frequents moist rocky locations. The Witch-hazel is the only tree in Pennsylvania that bears flowers and mature fruit at the same time. BANOE—^Nova Scotia and Ontario, south to Florida, and west to Minnesota and Texas. DISTBIBVTION IN FENNSTLYANIA—No doubt found in every county of the State. Reported and observed in more than one-half of tlte counties, located in every part of the State. This is the most common and widely distributed small tree or shrub in Pennsylvania. HABITAT—Usually found in moist rocky situations. Ck>mmon along streams, in swamps, and on the b<»^ers of ponds and lakes. Occasionally ascends slopes to rather dry locations. Tolerant of shade, hence often found in the understory of tlie forest. IMPOBTANOE OF THE SPECIES—The WItch-haxel Is of no oommeroial impwtance because it remains too small and iH'oduces inferior wood. No records are aTAilable which show that a single board foot has ever been on the market. It is, liowever, a very interesting small tree because it holds a unique position in that it blossoms late in autumn when many other trees have shed their leaves and are prepared for winter. It may be protected in situations where it does not Interfere with the growth or utilization of more valuable species. No special efforts are necessary to insure an abundant future supply.
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' PLATE LXXXIL WITCH-HAZEL 1. A tloweiing aiul fiuiting branch, x J. 1'. Longitudinal section of a flower, enlarged. :j. a fruit, natural size. 4. A branch with mature leaves, x i. Ti. A winter twig, natural size. U. Section of a winter branch, enlarged. INTENTIONAL SECOND EXPOSURE

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