TREES > HAZELNUT
IN THIS GUIDE
HAZELNUT GUIDES
The hazelnut tree is one of the most utile and valuable nut - bring forth trees in the UK , and it can be a useful increase to many garden .
If I could urge just one tree for UK gardeners looking for tree with edible and utilitarian payoff , then I think that the hazel tree would be it .
Whether you are looking for a tree to use as an single specimen tree , looking for a tree for coppicing , wait for lower canopy trees for forest garden , or plantation – or even looking for trees to use in mixednative hedge – the hazel is an excellent choice .
Common hazel
It is one of our favourite native tree – for a range of reason .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun or mottled Shade
ExposureSheltered or Exposed
Height4 – 8 grand
Spread4 – 8 metre
Bloom TimeLate Winter / Early Spring
PreferredChalk , loam , sand
‘Contorta’
MoistureMoist but well - debilitate
pHAlkaline or neutral
Our aboriginal hazelnut tree isCorylus avellana ; the Common Hazel is aboriginal to all of Europe and even some of West Asia – stretch all the way to the Caucusus.1Corylus avellana . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved March 16 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:295446-1Common hazel
C. avellanacatkins
It by nature grows in woods , peculiarly on the incline of hills , forming small trees up to around 6 m high and 3 m broad , though it can easily be kept much minuscule when pruned and mold as part of a wild hedgerow , or when used in a coppicing system .
This is an extremely fearless tree that can cope well with a wide mountain range of conditions here in the UK .
Corylus maximais another character of hazelnut tree diagram that may be of interestingness .
It is a Hazel species with much in common withC. avellana – but broadly raise more sizable nuts .
If grow hazel for eatable screwball , therefore , hybrid typesC. avellanaxC. maximacan be honorable option .
However , take of both these edible nuts are usually better in more southerly reaches of the British Isles than they are further north .
C.avellana‘Contorta ’ ( corkscrew hazel ) is another interesting alternative for your garden .
It is chosen for its ornamental twisting stanch rather than its yield , but can be a good selection to consider if you are just looking for a minor ornamental tree diagram for your garden .
Why Grow Hazelnuts?
cobnut are one of the very best perennial protein and petroleum crop for temperate climates .
If you are looking to ramify out beyond traditional one-year food refinement and look into more sustainable , perennial food - producing options , then the hazel tree is an splendid option to regard .
Yields can vary , and wildlife can be a challenge – often catch to the nuts before you may , but if you require to acquire bollock in the UK , hazelnut are one of the top tree to consider .
Hazel nuts are comestible , of course , but can also be used in other ways – for case , the nuts can be rubbed on Ellen Price Wood to release the oil and polish it .
The non - drying oil derived from the seeds is also used in paints and cosmetics .
Even if you are not look to develop nuts in your garden , hazel trees can still be a very good choice .
The hazel is a wonderful , wildlife - favorable landscaping Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree – attracting and support a encompassing range of aboriginal mintage .
This tree can be coppiced and so can be great in carbon gardening and farseeing - terminal figure , sustainable garden systems .
If you have a veg garden , you will no doubt be able-bodied to find plenty of way to use coppiced hazel in stand your plants .
Hazel trees can also be very utilitarian for aboriginal hedgerow schemes .
It work well in combining with other native species such as sr. , blackthorn , hawthorn , aboriginal roses etc .
All hazel tree , however , have cosmetic prayer – especially when they wear their drop catkin in belated winter or early leap .
How To Grow Hazelnut Trees
Hazels can grow in full sun or light , dappled shade .
They are H6 dauntless and can produce across most of the British Isles .
Generally unfussy about their growing weather , they will regrettably not grow well in acidulous grime , but can make do well in neutral , alkaline or even very alkaline grime .
They can expand in most soil type , but will do good in a good quality loam , which is neither low in nutrients nor excessively high in fertility .
yield are high where the soils are neither peculiarly piteous nor specially rich .
In remains soils , the area should be repair with heap of organic topic to improve drain , since the hazelnut tree diagram likes moist yet relatively spare - drain conditions .
hazel trees can tolerate wind photograph , but will not typically thrive in a nautical position .
you’re able to farm a hazel as a stand - alone tree , even in a small garden , while you’re able to also consider growing it as an under - storey tree or copse shrub in an existing woodland area or in a forest garden design .
As mentioned above , you could also use it in hedgerows .
Results ( egg yields ) will generally be good if you plant more than one hazel .
Like other trees , hazels are often bought as unfinished - root specimen which can be planted out over the dormant period .
However , hazel can withstand transplant well , so you may also choose a mature specimen if you want to accomplish a more established garden more apace , and constitute that out in bounce or early autumn .
Hazels can also be grown from seed , though most home gardener will discover this a challenging proposition , and of course it will take a long time .
Hazels grow from seed are typically transplanted into their growing position when around 2 year former , then , for coppicing , left for 4 years or so before they are shorten to the ground to boost straight coppice stems to form .
Hazelnut Tree Care
Hazels will not typically ask a raft of care , though young Tree and shrubs should be well watered during dry menses until they are install .
It is a just approximation to mulch around a newly planted hazel tree diagram with woods chip , bark , or other organic material .
Woody mulcheswill further a fungous dirt environment , which can also avail trees to become established .
It may also be a good idea to protect young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree from deer and other foragers with a wire cage or a tree diagram protector in areas where they may be vulnerable .
If you want to collect the edible addict then you may obtain it challenging to protect the tree from squirrel and other wildlife .
A yield cage or other protection might be good if you wish to grow nuts in any quantity .
multifariousness will also help check that there is plenty of other food around for foraging creatures – though of course wo n’t keep them aside all .
Pruning or coppicing Pomaderris apetala will count on where and how precisely you wish well your Pomaderris apetala to grow .
you’re able to crop hazel lightly to keep it in shape , or largely leave it alone .
“ In a modest garden the largest stems can be snip out in alternating years in leap once the catkins have dropped , keeping the industrial plant size restricted , ” says Horticulturist Colin Skelly , who has been certified in tree diagram review by the Arboricultural Association .
“ These stems can then be re - used as pole elsewhere in the garden , ” apprize Colin .
If growing it in a hedge , you could also leave it wilder or keep it more in check , or you could coppice hard in a regular coppicing arrangement .
Cutting hazel to the flat coat every 5 - 10 years is typical , usually in spring after the ament have dropped .
This will promote the hazel tree to take on a more shrub - corresponding shape , with peck of long , straight stem that you could employ .
Harvesting Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are harvested from September , as long as the wildlife has not gotten there first .
The nuts are good when the outer casing begins to turn yellow .
The bollock can be eaten raw , roast , or used in a orbit of dissimilar direction .
you’re able to store the nuts in their casing for up to around a twelvemonth if you’re able to keep them safe from shiner and other pests .
But remember , even if you do not get any nuts , filbert trees can still provide a range of other yields and are very useful additions to your garden .
