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Hazel

A very common woodland tree or shrub that grows under the canopy of other woodland trees. It's history is intertwined to ours through the multitude of uses for the wood.

What other names does it have?

Can also be known as
  • Coll (Ancient Irish)
  • Cobbly-Cut
  • Filbeard
  • Nuttall
  • Victor-Nut
  • Wood-Nut
  • Halse
  • Hezzel
  • Ranger
Generic nameHazel
Latin nameCorylus avellana
Family nameBirch
Latin family nameBetulaceae

What type of tree is it?

Is it a broadleaf or conifer?It is a broadleaf
Does it lose its leaves in autumn?Yes, it is deciduous

Species description:

Average height12-15m

Leaf

DescriptionAlmost round in shape- but with a sudden sharp point at the end. The edges are doubly toothed/serrated. To the touch they are scrubby hairy and quite floppy
ShapeOval
SizeUp to 12 cm long
ColourMid to dark green
Colour of leaves in autumnBright yellow
Leaf budGreen, fat oval buds
Leaf stalkShort stalk
Leaf arrangementAlternate

Flower, seed, and fruit

Type of flowerCatkin
Flowering seasonMid-February – mid-April
Tree/flower sexBoth sexes
Fruit colourGreen ripening to brown
Fruit seasonEarly autumn
Type of seed bodyNut
Seeds dispersed by
  • Wildlife

Bark and twig

Bark descriptionBronze in colour and finely peeling when very young. Older stems are pale brown with shallow ridges
Twig DescriptionA pale green-brown twig covered in long hairs

What other trees are similar?

Can easily be confused with?Wych elm- but this has thicker, rougher leaves with asymetrical bases

Where is it usually found?

Is it native or non-native to the British Isles?Native
Where is its natural range?Britain and Ireland
Preferred soil type or environmental conditions?Abundant except on water-logged or poor soils. Commonly planted for coppicing
What is its British conservation status?Common

Additional information

Human uses of tree and timberHazel was crucially important in the past as a source of wood and had many uses. Many of these uses relied upon the flexibility of the wood which could be twisted and even knotted. Uses include thatching spars, net stakes, water divining sticks, hurdles, furniture, firewood. The hazel nuts were also a prized food source, so much so that cultivated forms of hazel were bred for their nuts or 'cobs'. Now, however, grey squirrels strip the trees before the nuts can be harvested.
Tree lore and folkloreHazel has a reputation as a magical tree and is protected. A hazel rod is supposed to protect against evil spirits, as well as being used for water-divining or wands. In some parts of England, hazel nuts were carried as charms and/or held to ward off rheumatism. Whilst in Ireland hazel was known as the 'Tree of Knowledge’ and in medieval times it was a symbol of fertility.

Explanation of Latin name

The name Corylus comes from the Greek ‘horys’ meaning helmet which refers to the ragged-edged calyx on the nut.

Common hazel

Common hazel leaves

Common hazel fruit

Illustrations supplied by
Collins

Collins Tree Guide