Hazel Tree (Corylus Avellana)

The Hazel tree (Corylus Avellana) is a versatile native broadleaf tree and shrub, widely valued for its ecological benefits, edible nuts, and suitability for traditional coppicing. Found naturally in hedgerows, woodland understoreys, and scrub across the UK, Hazel trees produce distinctive yellow catkins from mid-February before the leaves emerge, followed by rounded green leaves that turn yellow in autumn. Edible hazelnuts appear in late summer to early autumn, providing a vital food source for dormice, woodpeckers, jays, and a wide range of small mammals. Tolerant of chalk and clay soils and growing between 3m and 8m in height, Hazel trees suit a wide range of planting environments from wildlife gardens to agricultural hedgerows.

One of the most important trees for coppicing in the UK, Hazel trees can live for several hundred years when managed this way, producing a sustainable supply of flexible timber with a wide range of practical uses.

Producing yellow catkins from mid-February, Hazel trees offer an early pollen source for bees when little else is in flower, making them a strong choice for wildlife gardens, pollinator planting schemes, and conservation projects.

Tree Attributes:

Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 3m – 6m
Growth Rate: Fast
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerant of various soil types, including chalky and clay soils
Flowers: Yellow catkins (male) and small, red-tipped flowers (female) appear in late winter to early spring
Foliage: Broad, rounded green leaves that turn yellow in autumn
Nuts: Edible hazelnuts appear in late summer to early autumn, providing food for wildlife and foraging opportunities
Bark: Smooth, pale grey-brown bark that becomes more textured with age