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It grows naturally in the temperate zone of Europe and South-West Asia, from the lowlands to 1800 m above sea level. It grows in thickets, on the edges of forests, on moist, deep, humus, stony, acidic to calcareous soils. It is widespread in the zones of splendiferous oak, common oak, ash and beech. Its lifespan is up to 100 years. It is often grown as a food plant.
Habitus: deciduous shrub or lower tree from the birch family (Betulaceae). It grows most often as a shrub up to 4 meters high, but as a lower tree it can grow up to 15 m. The trunk is up to 20 cm in diameter, the bark is smooth, thin, reddish-gray to brown, later it cracks shallowly in patches.
Flower: Hazel is a monoecious plant, which means that male and female flowers are on the same plant. They bloom before leafing, very early, but also in January if the conditions are favorable, but usually in February and March. On one bush, flowering lasts about a week.
Leaf: alternate, obovate, 5-13 cm long, 5-9 cm wide, heart-shaped at the base, irregularly toothed at the edges and located on short, about 0.5-2 cm long, glandular hairy petioles. Their face is darker green and almost bare, their back is light green and hairy, the venation is pinnate and there are hairs along the veins.
it can also thrive on poorer soil, but fertile, deep and calcareous soils are best for abundant yields due to the formation of fruits. It also needs a sunny position and moist soil, because it bears little fruit in conditions of shade or drought during the summer. It is sensitive to low temperatures during flowering.
It is often grown as a food plant. The fruit is known as hazelnut, it is a tasty and nutritious food, it contains about 65% fat, 16% protein and about 10% carbohydrates. Edible vegetable oil is obtained from the fruits by cold pressing, which is suitable for use in cosmetics.
The wood is suitable for processing and use for various technical purposes. Hazel shoots bend easily and are suitable for making baskets, hoops, etc.
Propagation of hazel is possible in several ways, but propagation by cuttings and shoots is the most common because it is very easy and cheap.
C. avellana ‘Contorta’
C. avellana ‘Fuscorubra’
C. avellana ‘Pendula’
C. avellana ‘Heterophylla’
ArborTech project has been funded with the support from the European Commission, with the reference number 2021-1-SI01-KA220-VET-000028108. The content of this website reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
