Western Snowberry vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Witch Hazel
Western Snowberry

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Seeds: seeds ejected to a distance of up to 30 ft
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry