The Common Witch-Hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, is extraordinary in its flowering habits. It flowers in late October to early December. Many times its slender yellow petals are the only signs of color in the dormant woods. Witch-hazel is pollinated by the winter moth. After pollination, the fruits become dormant for the winter, developing over the following growing season and maturing in the fall, 10-12 months after pollination.
Seeds are dispersed by gravity, or are eaten and excreted by birds. Witch-hazel seeds germinate the following spring or enter the seed bank. Early growth is slow, and in fact remains slow throughout the life of the tree in its typical shady habitat. As individuals, witch-hazel probably does not live more than 100 years, but they reproduce from root sprouts, and clones may live for a very long time.