blooming witch hazel

Blooming witch hazel on the Maple Trail at Tin Mountain taken Sept. 30. (MATT MALONEY PHOTO)

Starting in October, when the foliage peaks, and extending through the leaf drop, there is one tree that seems a bit confused. At the same time as its yellowed leaves begin to wither and fall off, this small tree, the witch hazel, begins to flower. How backward!

Witch hazel is the flowering tree of autumn and as such exemplifies the diverse ways plants adapt and survive to pass along their genetic material. Its lacy yellow blossoms are often ignored, sometimes mistaken for anything but flowers.

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