How to farm and process Hamamelis on a large scale?

Question

Looking for ballpark estimates on acreage, ideal growing conditions, needed equipment and facilities. Not looking for fine or thorough details- an outline format is preferred as is first-hand experience.

Please no links or wikipedia.

Answer 1

I'll have to admit that I'm doing a little guessing here. I've never cultivated Hamamelis virginiana.  They grow wild all over where I live.  Some people do raise them as an ornamental and they seem fairly easy to grow. I don't think you would have too big a problem establishing a fairly large plantation of witch hazel. I can't help you with your processing, but the Hamamelis will grow as a shrub unless you keep it pruned and keep the suckers cut back.  This might give you enough material for processing until they get to be small trees.