Corylus avellana hazel

Hazel is a well-known shrub of European woodlands which is popular mainly for its nuts.

It is a suckering, thicket-forming shrub with numerous upright stems. As it is a dense and large shrub it is used as a screening plant. It will also make a wild hedge which should be controlled if required compact. This plant can grow 4x4m.

In winter and early spring it bears plentiful of pendent, yellow, male catkins. Leaves are broadly heart-shaped, mid green, deciduous. It can be pruned almost anytime, it takes hard pruning, too.

Hazel nuts are hidden in hard shells. They contain minerals and proteins important for sportsmen, students and convalescents. 100g of fresh nuts contains 13g protein, 61g fat, 13.7g carbohydrates and 3.5g fibre.

It will grow almost anywhere but will crop best in fertile, well-drained, chalky soil. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4), some sources say it can withstand -40°C.

Last update 27-01-2008