Corylus avellana

Hazelnut

Species Tolerances

  • Drought Tolerance: High
  • Shade Tolerance: Yes
  • Waterlogging Tolerance: High
  • Frost Tolerance (trees from warmer climates may be frost tolerant, but their flowers may not be): Yes
  • RHS Hardiness: H6
  • Optimum Conditions for Growth:
    A short-lived, fast growing understorey tree especially in oak woods. Coppices well if there is not too much shade. Grows at its best on nutrient-rich, alkaline soils. Dislikes soils which are too dry, sandy or peat.
  • Susceptibility to Pest/Disease:
    No major pest or diseases at present

Corylus_avellana_, male and female inflorescences; Karlsruhe, Germany H.-Zell/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

Service to Pollinators

  • Summary of Service to Pollinators:
    Wind pollinated, so no nectar and a poor quality pollen. Bees will sometimes collect the pollen when better quality is not available.
  • Nectar Value to Pollinators: 0 (of 0-3)
  • Honeydew Value to Pollinators: 1 (of 0-3)
  • Pollen Value to Bees: 1 (of 0-3)
  • Flowering Period: February

Risks

  • Human Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Livestock Toxicity: Non-toxic
  • Invasive Risk: No
  • Suckering: No

Products

  • Edible Fruit: Yes
  • Edible Leaves: No
  • Edible Sap: No
  • Edible Seeds: Yes
  • Honey, major source in UK: No
  • For any medicinal potential, see 'Further Details' below.
  • Timber: No
  • Livestock Fodder: Yes
  • Other Products:
    Woodchip for biomass. Traditionally managed and extensively coppiced in Britain.

Utility

  • Nitrogen Fixation: No
  • Organic Matter Accumulation: Yes
  • Phytoremediation: Insufficient Data
  • Deacidification: Insufficient Data
  • Windbreak: Yes
  • Soil Erosion Control: Yes
  • Shade or Shelter: Yes
  • Plant Support: Insufficient Data
  • Integrated Pest Management: Insufficient Data
  • Wildlife Value: Yes
  • Wildlife Value Summary:
    Very good for biodiversity, referring to invertebrate diversity feeding on the tree, and nuts providing food for a large range of birds and mammals. Early pollen supply.
  • Graduated Nativeness Classification
    ⓘ
    1. Historic Native
    2. Historic Introduction
    9. Neutral Introduction
    : 1 (of 1-10)

Further Details

    Especially grazed by deer. A masting tree with irregular production of nuts.