Witchhazel is a small shrub like tree native to eastern and southern North America. Witchhazel flowers in May and produces a seed that grows through the summer. In August when the seed has reached its full size it develops a hardened shell. The now woody seed will fall from its stem in late October. Seeds may scatter for over two years before they germinate. Witchhazel can produce basal suckers, which sprout from the base of a mature plant. However this is not as effective of a reproduction method as seed germination.

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Witchhazel is rarely eaten by deer or squirrels. The trees are used as shelter and cover for small mammals. Weevil beetles (Pseudanthonomus hamamelidis) have developed a parasitic relationship specific to Witchhazel. Female beetles will lay eggs inside the woody seed, weakening the plant and preventing germination.  

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