Witch-hazel

The last common tree listed in the Forest Trees of Maine Species Index is Witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. I happened to be in Lewiston this morning so I stopped by the Rancourt Preserve where I've seen quite a nice stand of these short-stature trees at the first beach (the Maine Register of Big Trees has one that is 32' tall). There are several distinctive features that make it fairly easy to identify in all seasons. The deciduous, alternate leaves have a wavy margin - not lobed or toothed, but truly wavy - and an asymmetrical base. You can see both these features in the photo. The flowers appear in fall, yellow with long, narrow, strappy petals - they're just tiny buds right now but wait until October! The fruit is a woody capsule that persists on the twig through winter into the following spring - they're still pretty fresh and light green right now, I'm not sure when they'll harden up so that's something to watch for. Leaves, flowers, and capsule are key features, but you can also look for scalpel-shaped buds in winter, or check for hairy, zig-zaggy twigs to further confirm your skills.
Rancourt Preserve is a local treasure with a loop trail along the Androscoggin River. It's a fairly easy walk with a variety of different trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants to botanize. Witch-hazel is fairly common but somehow I hadn't yet gathered its leaves - finally I can check this one off my list on this final day of August.