A small irregular rounded fall-flowering medicinal tree or large shrub. Makes a soothing astringent with a seemingly endless number of uses from controlling acne to soothing diaper rash, poison ivy, chicken pox and browntail moth rashes. Most preparations involve simply brewing tea from the leaves and/or twigs.

Oval hazel-like textured foliage. Brilliant golden-yellow fall color. Quirky yellow flowers appear in early to mid November. “Witch” is said to refer to the odd flowering time or maybe it’s because dowsers like to use the interesting forked branches to “witch” for water.

Full sun or shade. Prefers moist acid soils; avoid dry spots. No pests or diseases, does well with very little care. We do nothing to ours and it looks better and better every year. Native Canada to Georgia. Z3. (1-3' bare-root plants)