How to Divide a Witch Hazel Shrub
The best time to divide the witch hazel shrub is when the leaves have dropped and it is going dormant. Witch hazel is a member of the Hamamelidaceae family. Hamamelis is a Greek word meaning "hooked fruit." This is in reference to the fruit capsule that curls backward. One species, Hamamelis vernalis, means "spring" because the winter flowering heralds the coming of spring. Native Americans used the bark and leaves to treat external inflammations. This shrub grows from zones 3 through 8. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Pick a spot for your witch hazel shrub that provides partial shade.
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Using a spade, dig a hole to accommodate the root ball of the witch hazel. Make it three to four times as big as the root ball you are planting.
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Mix the soil, removed from the hole, with compost. Add some manure to help fertilize the soil.
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Fill the hole with water. Allow the water to drain on its own.
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Using a spade, dig up the witch hazel shrub you plan to divide. Try to leave as much of the soil around the root ball as you can. If there are any diseased or damaged roots, now is the time to remove them.
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Take two small shovels, back to back, and plunge them through the center of the root ball. Pull the handles together to pry the root ball apart. You can also cut the shrub in half with a saw.
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Fill the hole with soil. Firm the soil around the root ball, so there are no air pockets. The added soil should be level with the surrounding ground; add more if needed.
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Water the witch hazel shrub thoroughly. Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the top of the ground to help retain moisture.
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Tips & Warnings
The dividing process does cause stress for the shrubs. They need extra care the first year to survive the shock.
