Small tree native from Nova Scotia to Florida and west to Minnesota, south to Texas. Various Native American tribes used the twigs, bark and leaves as a cold remedy, dermatological aid, febrifuge, gynecological aid, eye medicine, and kidney aid. This is one of the preferred trees used for water-witching, hence it's common name. Witch Hazel extract is still popular in skin cosmetics, shaving lotions, mouth washes, eye lotion, ointments, and soaps. It flowers soon after it drops it's leaves in the fall and continues flowering through late fall. This picture was taken in mid-November.