Common Name: Hazel

General Information

Corylus avellana is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 6 metres tall. The plant usually forms a dense thicket of erect, much-branched stems, renewing itself by sucker growths from the base[].
The plant is cultivated on a large scale in several countries for its edible seeds, the hazel nuts of commerce, and many named forms have been developed. The plant is also used medicinally and has many other uses. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, with some cultivars having been developed, and it can also be used to make a large informal hedge or screen.
Corylus avellana is a widespread species with a large extent of occurrence and common across much of its range. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Throughout Europe, extending east to Turkey and the Caucasus

Habitat

Woods and hedgerows, especially on the slopes of hills, often on calcareous soils[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Wind
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Corylus avellana is a very cold-hardy plant, grown through much of the temperate zone and able to tolerate winter temperatures down to around -30°c when fully dormant. The flowers, however, are produced in late winter and early spring and can be damaged by heavy frosts at this time[].
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[, ]. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones[, ]. Does well in a loamy soil[]. Very suitable for an alkaline soil[], but it dislikes very acid soils[]. Succeeds in a pH range 4.5 to 8.5, but prefers a range of 5 to 7[]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[, ].
A parent, together with Corylus maxima, of many cultivated forms of filberts and cob nuts. There are many named varieties[].
Plants are self-fertile but a more certain crop is obtained if more than one cultivar is grown[].
The main difference between cob nuts and filberts is that the husk of a filbert is longer than the seed and often completely encloses it, whilst the husk on a cob nut is shorter than the seed[].
Squirrels are a major pest of this plant, often decimating the crop of nuts[].
Often grown as a coppiced shrub in woodlands, the stems have a variety of uses[, , ].
Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[].
A food plant for the caterpillars of many lepidoptera species[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or roasted and used in breads, cakes, biscuits, sweets etc[, , , , , , ]. An excellent nut for raw eating[]. They can also be liquidized and used as a plant milk[]. Rich in oil. The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[].

A clear yellow edible oil is obtained from the seed[, , ]. It is used in salad dressings, baking etc.

Medicinal

The bark, leaves, catkins and fruits are sometimes used medicinally[]. They are astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge, nutritive and odontalgic[].

The seed is stomachic and tonic[].

The oil has a very gentle but constant and effective action in cases of infection with threadworm or pinworm in babies and young children[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[]. They need to be left untrimmed or only lightly trimmed if seed is required[].

Other Uses

The seed contains up to 65% of a non-drying oil, used in paints, cosmetics etc[, , , ]. The whole seed can be used to polish and oil wood[]. It is very easy to apply and produces a nice finish[].

The finely ground seeds are used as an ingredient of face masks in cosmetics[].
Various parts of the plant are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations. The powder from the seed and crushed shells is used as an abrasive; the seed oil is used in fragrances; extracts of the seeds, flowers and leaves are all used as skin conditioners; an aqueous solution of the leaves is a fragrance and a tonic[]

The bark and leaves are a source of tannin[].

The twigs are one of the main woods used as dowsing rods by water diviners[].

Wood - soft, easy to split, not very durable, beautifully veined. Used for inlay work, small items of furniture, hurdles, wattles, basketry, pea sticks etc[, , , , , , , ]. The branches of the hazel are extremely supple, and their pliancy renders them useful for various purposes, such as hoops for crates, etc[].
The wood also yields a good quality charcoal, used by artists[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[]. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification[]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[].
Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[, ].
Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.