Hazel
Irish - Coll
Ulster-Scots - Heezle or Hissletree
Family - Corylaceae
Characteristics
- Hazel is a small deciduous tree or shrub that branches from the base.
- It usually grows to a height of 3-5m (9-15ft), although it occasionally grows to 10m (30ft).
- It bears male flowers or catkins up to 5cm long and female flowers with bright red stamens.
- The nuts are up to 2cm long and are pale green at first, then turning pale brown. They are usually borne in pairs, each between two overlapping light green bracts or husks which have conspicuous teeth.
Season
- The catkins, known as "lamb's tails", open between December and April, often producing pollen before other species.
- Leaves open from late April through May and are retained until November, turning yellow before falling.
- The nuts ripen in September and October.
Preferred Environment
- Hazel is found in the shrub layer of mixed deciduous woodland and is also a frequent constituent of hedgerows.
- It grows best on fertile moist neutral or alkaline soils, and only grows on mildly acid soils.
- There are 73 insect species associated with hazel.
- Hazel provides nuts for birds and mammals.
- The leaves are poisonous and are consequently avoided by rabbits. Cattle also avoid it and its presence is no danger to them.
Uses
- Quick-growing stems can be coppiced to make hurdle fencing, thatching spars and growing frames for peas and beans.
- Hazel makes excellent kindling, and the wood is reported to be best when grown on chalky subsoil.
- Hazel has traditionally been used to make salmon-fishing gear.