The genus Hamamelis is composed of six species native to North America [3] and temperate east Asia [3]. The word hamamelis is the classical Greek name of Mesipilus germanica L., medlar, or perhaps Sorbus domestica L., servicetree, words meaning together (in a time sense) and apple, which suggests flowers blooming at the same time.

Other Common Names: common witch hazel, snapping hazel, southern witch hazel, spotted alder, winter bloom.

Distribution: North America, from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine and Quebec, west to Ontario, Michigan and Minnesota, south to Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and east to Florida.

The Tree: Witch hazel is a fall-to-winter flowering tree or shrub. It has a thin, scaly, light- brown bark and small branches that grow in a zigzag manner. The flowers are bisexual with prominent, yellow, ribbon-like petals. The fruits are small, paired and horned. The tree at­tains heights of 30 ft (9 m) and diameters of 1 ft (0.3 m). Witch hazel grows at forest edges and along streams as an understory species. It grows best in deep, rich soils.

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of witch hazel is light brown, with a pinkish hue, while the heartwood is dark brown. The wood has medium luster and no odor or taste. It has medium density, fine texture, and straight grain.

 

 

Mechanical propertiesa

 

aReference (59).

Drying and shrinkagea

Percentage of shrinkage (green to final moisture content)

Type of shrinkage        0% MC        6% MC 20% MC

Tangential        NA        NA        NA

Radial        NA        NA        NA

Volumetric        18.8        NA        NA

aReference (59).

Working Properties: Rather easily worked. Durability: Nonresistant to heartwood decay. Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Branches for divining rods, oil from leaves; twigs and bark used for liniments and medicines.

Toxicity: No information available at this time. Additional Reading: 29, 55, 68, 74.

 

The genus Ilex contains over 350 species native to North America [26], Europe [1], tropical

Africa [1], and Australia [1], with the rest in China and Brazil. The word ilex is the classical

Latin name of Quercus ilex L., holly oak, of Europe, which has holly-like leaves.

Holly: Ilex spp. Aquifoliaceae

 

Ilex ambigua        Carolina holly, large-leaf holly, mountain holly, mountain privet,

mountain winterberry, myrtle holly, sand holly

Ilex amelanchier        sarvis holly, serviceberry holly

Ilex aquifolium        European holly (introduced in colonies)

Ilex cassine        Alabama dahoon, cassena-bush, cassena holly, christmasberry, da

hoon, dahoon holly, Florida holly, hendersonwood, yaupon

Ilex coriacea        bay gallbush, large gallberry, sweet gallberry

Ilex decidua        bearberry, curtis possumhaw, deciduous holly, meadow holly, pos

sumhaw, privet, swamp holly, winterberry

Ilex krugiana        krug holly, southern holly, tawnyberry holly

Ilex laevigata        smooth winterberry

Ilex longipes        chapman holly, Georgia holly

Ilex montana        mountain holly, mountain winterberry

Ilex myrtifolia        dahoon, myrtle dahoon, myrtle holly

Ilex opaca*        American holly, christmas holly, evergreen holly, holly, prickly

holly, white holly, yule holly Ilex opaca        American holly (typical)
var. opaca

Ilex opaca        dune holly, hummock holly, scrub holly

var. arenicola

Ilex verticillata        black alder, common winterberry, winterberry

Ilex vomitoria        Appalachian tea, bassena, Carolina tea, cassena, cassena-bush, cassine,

cassioberry, christmas berry, deerberry, emetic holly, evergreen cassena, evergreen holly, true cassena, yaupon, yopon

*commercial species

The following description is for American holly.

Distribution: North America, from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, southwest to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma, south to Texas and east to Florida.

The Tree: Hollies have spiny evergreen leaves and red berries on the female trees. Holly is found in lower areas of deep, rich, moist soils in association with magnolia, oaks, sweet gum, maples, and hackberry. It reaches a height of 50 ft (15 m) with a 2 ft (0.6 m) diameter. The bark is thick and relatively smooth with rough wart-like processes.

General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of holly is white and the heartwood is an ivory white with a bluish cast or streaks. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. It is heavy, hard, close-grained and tough, with a low luster like ivory.

 

Mechanical propertiesa

 

Drying and shrinkagea,b

 

aHolly generally discolors when seasoned slowly. It is best cut in winter and dried quickly. It may warp and cup during kiln drying.

bReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20% MC, (90).

 

Working Properties: Holly is difficult to work, but takes a high polish. It glues and screws well, but drilling should be done slowly. The wood takes a stain well and can be ebonized.

Durability: Holly is susceptible to fungal attack. Preservation: No information available at this time.

Uses: Furniture (inlay), keys for musical instruments (ebonized), scientific instruments, fixtures, brush backs, carvings, scrollwork, engravings, handles, turnery and novelties.

Toxicity: No information available at this time.

Page url: http://www.yourdomain.com/help/index.html?witchhazelhamamelisvirgini.htm