1st Turkish Tree Hazel: 3 years old - current height 80-100 cm
Common names: Turkish Hazel, Tree Hazel, Turkish Tree Hazel
Scientific name: Corylus colurna
Family: Betulaceae
Plant history & use:
Turkish Hazel is a tree-shaped hazel with a thick trunk and pyramidal crown. Native to Southeast Europe and Southwest Asia - the tree is found growing wild in the region from the Balkans, to northern Turkey, to northern Iran.
It is a fast-growing tree that is hardy in exposed environments, e.g. urban environments. The Turkish hazel grows about 20-30 meters high and often has a straight, continuous trunk with more or less horizontal branches.
Turkish Hazel produces edible hazelnuts that sit inside fluffy balls. The nuts are smaller than those of the more common hazel - Corylus avellana - but they have a thicker shell, which makes the Turkish hazelnut more resistant to hungry pests of various kinds - e.g.
weevils, birds & squirrels - which are otherwise a big problem when growing common hazel, C. avellana .
Turkish Hazel can live for over 200 years.
Culture:
Turkish Hazel is a fast-growing tree that is resistant to drought, wind, heat and cold once established. However, the optimal environment is a place with full sun and a moist, well-drained soil. However, it also grows well in heavy clay soils and sandy soils.
The tree can withstand winter temperatures down to -25ºC.
Nuts ripen in October-November.
Characteristics:
Age: Perennial
Plant position: sun
Height: 20-30 m
Growing zone: 1-5