Hazel - Corylus avellana

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The Hazel – Corylus avellana – is a versatile native shrub or small tree, best known for its rounded leaves, yellow spring catkins (“lamb’s tails”), and edible nuts that ripen in autumn. It is a cornerstone of traditional coppice woodland management, where it regenerates vigorously after cutting. Hazel provides rich wildlife value, offering early pollen for bees, nuts for birds and mammals, and dense cover for nesting.

All our trees are grown using organic inputs and are peat free.

Growing Instructions:

• Soil: Thrives in fertile, moist but well-drained soils. Tolerates clay, loam, and chalky ground, preferring neutral to slightly acidic conditions.

• Sunlight: Grows best in full sun to partial shade.

• Watering: Water regularly when young, especially during dry spells. Mature plants are hardy and low-maintenance.

• Planting: Remove competing plants within a 2ft radius. Plant in a hole just larger than the plug and at the same depth as the surrounding soil. Firm gently around the roots and water well. Apply a 3-inch layer of weed-free mulch (ideally bark chip). Keep weed-free for the first few seasons and protect from browsing animals (e.g., rabbits, deer).

• Growth Rate: Fast-growing when coppiced; typically reaches 3–8m as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Can live for 60–80 years or longer when regularly managed.