Hamamelis virginiana
Witch Hazel

Mature Height: 10-30'     Longevity: Moderate

 Hamamelis virginiana leaf. Hamamelis virginiana art.
   

3-7 Water Range
Soil moisture tolerated by tree

4-9 Temperature Range
Hardiness Zones in which tree naturally occurs.

DEFENSE     Soil Moisture Key
3: Low-Moderate drought tolerance listed. References indicate prefers moist soils, low value is wettest of xeric sites.

7: Low Flood tolerance in NRCS Plants database. Reader's Digest identifies tree as present along streambanks. Lack of data hurts confidence in both scores.

DEFENSE (from Distribution Maps)
National Audubon Society (NAS) Map: (NORTH) Range ends along border of Z3/Z4. Seems to have only marginal presence in Z3. (SOUTH) Solid Z8 w/ only small presence in Z9 in FL.

Peterson Field Guide (PFG) Map: (NORTH) Z4 appears to be furthest extent. (SOUTH) Large community deep in Z9 in FL & also presnce in Z9 in TX & LA. Will assign Z9 due to depth of occurrence of FL community.


   

1   Sun Strength

6   Shade Strength

DEFENSE
Growth Rate:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Max Height:

Click here for Key
1.8 = Very slow
0 = Not Pioneer
0 = No data
0 = Conflict
0 = no
-.3 = 20'
-.2 = 30'

DEFENSE
Shade Tol.:
Succession:
Soil Range:
Salt Tol.:
Allelopath:
Avg Height:
Longevity:

Click here for Key
6.5 = Slightly < tolerant
0 = Not climax
0 = No data
0 = Conflict
0 = no
-.2 = 20'
0 = Insufficient data

TOTAL SCORE (1.3): Lack of data hurts certainty of scoring. Diminutive size of tree slow growth and occurrence after pioneer stage indicative of tree's poor strength in Sun competition.

TOTAL SCORE (6.3): Lack of data hurts confidence in score. Solid presence in understory of old growth forests supports tolerant shade rating. However size indicates tree is not a major player in sun or shade.


   

1   Fire Strength

5   Wind Strength

DEFENSE
Base Score: Small Tree = 1
Fire Effects (FEIS) data indicates tree is very susceptible to fire.
Final Value = 1

DEFENSE
Base Score: ???
Since a small tree consider to be relatively windfirm. More data would be very beneficial.
Final Value = 5