Hazel nuts, Cob-nut Hazel, Filberts
Corylus avellana

Family: Betulaceae

What it is like

A small deciduous tree up to 7 m high. It spreads to 3-5 m across. The stem is erect, with smooth, brown bark and hairy twigs. The trees sucker a lot, which produces a clumpy bush. The leaves are rounded, tapering to a point, with a heart shaped base. They are 10 cm long, and dull, dark green. The edges of the leaves have saw-like teeth. The leaves are hairy. Male and female flowers are separate, on the one tree. Male flowers are greenish-yellow stalks, like cat's tails. They are 8 cm long and hang downwards. The female flowers are very small, and in groups of four. The fruit are brown nuts 2 cm across. A green husk covers the nut, but then shrinks to allow the nut to darken and ripen. Plants within the Hazel nut group hybridise easily, giving rise to new kinds.

There are about 15 Corylus species.

Where it is found

A temperate climate plant. They are very frost resistant. They need a certain minimum cold requirement for good production of nuts, so are basically unsuited to the tropics. They need 800-1600 hours of chilling, about the same as apples. They grow in light, well-drained soils, in a protected, partly shaded position. They are drought tender. The flowers can withstand frosts down to -8°C and the wood down to -20°C or -30°C. It suits hardiness zones 4-8. Arboretum Tasmania. Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe (country/location of origin), Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Netherlands, North Africa, North America, Norway, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scandinavia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Ukraine, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The nuts are eaten raw. They are also roasted and used in bread, cakes, and confectionary. The seeds are eaten both raw and dried. The kernels have a fatty oil which is edible. The male flowers are eaten. The leaves are used for sarma in Turkey. They are rolled around a filling of rice or minced meat.

It is a cultivated plant. It is sold in local markets. Seeds have been introduced into Papua New Guinea for trial plantings only and are not really a suitable plant for the country.

Edible parts

Nuts, seeds, flavouring, spice, oil, flowers, buds, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Once established, they can be grown from suckers, layering or cuttings. They are often pruned to a single trunk, to make harvesting easier. Trees normally cannot be pollinated from flowers on the same tree. They mostly require cross pollination by wind from suitable pollinator trees. Trees transplant fairly easily. A spacing of 3 m x 3 m is suitable.

Nuts are produced 3-4 years after planting. Layered plants produce nuts in 2-3 years. Yields of 4-6 kg of nuts per tree, are average. Nuts fall when mature. Nuts store well. They should be kept dry and cool.

Its other names

Local names

Alun, Aryekh, Aryeshnik, Avellana, Avellano, Basurrek, Bindak, European filbert, European hazelnut, Findak, Findik, Funduk, Hassel, Hazelnoot, Lazdas, Lazdynas, Leithi, Leska, Lesnik, Lieska, Lijeska, Ljathi, Magyarofa, Mogyorofa, Monyaro, Navadna leska, Nisore,Nocella, Nocciolo, Oriesky, Oryekh, Oulanio, Pahklipuu, Sarapuu, Tkhili, Tkhleni, Urretxa

Synonyms

Corylus avellana f. aurea (G. Kirchn.) C. K. Schneid.; Corylus avellana f. contorta (Bean) Rehder; Corylus avellana f. fusco-rubra Dippel; Corylus avellana f. heterophylla (Lodd. ex Loudon) Rehder; Corylus avellana f. pendula (H. Jaeger) Dippel; Corylus avellana var. aurea G. Kirchn.; Corylus avellana var. contorta Bean; Corylus avellana var. fusco-rubra ined.; Corylus avellana var. heterophylla (Lodd. ex Loudon) Loudon; Corylus avellana var. pendula H. Jaeger; Corylus heterophylla Lodd. ex Loudon;