Wood: The wood is hard and heavy, but witch-hazels are too small for lumber use. Water diviners have used branches for "water-witching." The oil from the leaves, twigs and bark is used in liniments, some patent medicines and as an astringent in skin lotions and eye-washes.
Wildlife: The wildlife value is rather low, although the woody seeds are eaten by ruffed grouse and squirrels in winter, and white-tailed deer eat the young branchlets and leaves.
Horticulture: Witch-hazels are occasionally planted as ornamentals in Iowa. The coarse, irregular branching creates winter interest in the landscape and the flowers are an attraction in the fall, especially when combined with purple and red fall-colored shrubs.
