Get to know this plant.
Identification clue 1
Rounded to oval alternate leaves
Identification clue 2
Wavy or toothed upper margins
Identification clue 3
Patchwork mature bark
Read the leaves
Inspect the edge: the lower portion may be smoother, with teeth or waves more evident toward the tip.
More growing details
Read the bark
Older bark exfoliates in a patchwork of cream, gray, and greenish areas.
Fruit & seed
Small woody capsules follow inconspicuous early flowers with red anthers.
Winter character
Mottled bark and flowers that can precede leaves offer late-winter clues.
Origin & place
An introduced garden species or horticultural hybrid; study it as part of WNC landscapes rather than assume it belongs to the native mountain flora.
Compare with Witch-hazels
Both can have wavy asymmetrical leaves; compare flowers and mature bark, not autumn color alone.
WNC Notes
Four-season small tree with excellent bark and fall color; structurally prune multi-leader forms.
Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
MATURE HEIGHT (FT)
20–40
MATURE WIDTH (FT)
20–30
BLOOM SEASON
Late winter
BLOOM COLOR
Red
FALL / WINTER COLOR
Yellow-orange-red
Wet-Soil Tolerance
High
Drought Tolerance
Low