Corylus colurna - Turkish Hazel - €19 per plant

Turkish Hazel is a fantastic tree that draws much attention due to its striking conical appearance that can add a nice diversity of form to the forest garden. It's quite a tough, low maintenance tree that is resilient to many soil conditions. Can tolerate atmospheric pollution well and is often used as a street tree. Nuts are quite delicious, although a bit smaller and tougher than common Hazels.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: S.E. Europe to W. Asia.
  • native habitat: Shady mixed forests up to 1800 metres in E. Asia. Found at altitudes up to 3000 metres in the Himalayas
  • family: Betulaceae

Pests and Predators 

  • Nuts very popular with birds and squirrels

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline and can grow in very alkaline soils
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
  • Prefers a moist soil
  • Tolerates drought
  • Tolerates air pollution

Known hazards 

  • No known hazards​​

Overview


  • Deciduous shrub growing to 20m x 7m at a slow rate. ​
  • It is in flower from Feb - March, and the seeds ripen from September to October.
  • The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
  • The plant is self fertile
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. It prefers moist soil. 
  • Can tolerate drought.

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous tree, single trunk
  • layer: Canopy
  • habit: Conical tree
  • height x width (m): 20m x 7m  

Products 

  • Fruit: The nuts are edible and smaller in size that those of the common Hazel, with a pleasantly mild flavour. 
  • Flowers:  At flowering, the buds are fairly inconspicuous and reddish in colour. The male kitten reach a length of around 10cm and are yellow. Can be considered a good early pollinator plants as typically blooms in Feb - March.
  • Leaves: In leaf April-November. Rounded to heart shaped in form, serrated and mildly hairy on both sides.
  • Wood: The light brown wood is popular with crafters and used for the production of furniture.​

Functions, behaviours


  • It does not produce suckers​
  • Highly ornamental tree
  • Used as a single-stem rootstock for Corylus avellana
  • It is a good candidate for buffer strips around parking lots or highways
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project