Hazel
Corylus avellana · Betulaceae
📷 MPF · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
It's peak harvest for hazel: pick regularly and at the right stage to boost production and extend the season.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- January to February
- Adult size
- 5 to 6 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Europe, Asia Minor
- Soil type
- All types, well-drained
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Hazelnut fruiting occurs on wood from the previous year. Prune lightly after fruiting (August-September) to structure the tree, avoid spring before flowering.
The common mistake
Pruning in spring or the previous summer before winter flowering.
The pro's trick
Plant two different varieties together (even in small space): cross-pollination boosts harvest.
Care
Exposure
Your hazelnut thrives in full sun for optimal nut production. It tolerates partial shade but fruits less abundantly. Plant it in an open location, sheltered from strong winds that can damage its flowering catkins.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, hazelnut tolerates moderate drought thanks to its deep root system. Increase watering during prolonged hot periods.
Soil and Planting
Hazelnut adapts to almost all soil types, provided they are well-drained. Avoid overly acidic or excessively wet soils. Plant in autumn or early spring by enriching the soil with compost.
Pruning and Training
Prune after fruiting (in summer) to air out the crown and remove dead or crossing branches. You can shape the shrub as a bush or small tree on a trunk. Avoid pruning during the winter flowering period.
Fertilizing
Annual spring fertilization with balanced fertilizer is sufficient after planting. An application of compost or decomposed manure at the base improves fruiting without excess nitrogen.
Diseases and Pests
Hazelnut is generally robust. Watch for attacks by the hazelnut weevil (small beetle that lays eggs in nuts) and powdery mildew in humid conditions. Good air circulation and reasonable hygiene prevent most problems.
Did you know?
Hazelnut has been revered since Antiquity for its magical and healing properties. Traditional divining rods were made from its flexible branches, said to detect underground water. In Celtic tradition, the hazelnut represented wisdom, and Irish poets spoke of the "Hazel of Connla" guarding nine sacred springs.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Silver birchBetula pendula
- Grey alderAlnus incana
- Dwarf birchBetula nana
- European Hop-hornbeamOstrya carpinifolia
- Turkish hazelCorylus colurna
- Italian AlderAlnus cordata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.