Witches: Brooms and Hazels

I found this delightful little American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) in bloom on the tiny island I used as a lunch stop a little while ago. The petals look like thin strips of yellow paper. I don't know of many other trees that put their flowers out this late in the year - perfect for being fertilized by winter moths!

They look shriveled and pathetic, in a way, but that's how they are.

And then there are all these witches' brooms everywhere I look!