Corylus avellana

Hazel

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
6m 1
4-8m 3
6m 5
Usually up to 6m, sometimes 10m 6
613m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Globular crown 1
4-8m 2
Spreading 3

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (28 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.:
Moderately dense 1
Light 2
Reasonably shade-bearing 3

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Early (Apr to Nov 1)

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Moderate 59

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree:
Potentially 200+ years 2
70-80 years longevity 68

Management & Systems

Typical systemsiCommon agroforestry or silvicultural systems where this species is used:
Arable or pasture, lowland 1
Arable, pasture and veg systems 5

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Coppices well 13

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Sensitive to persistent herbivore pressure 36

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Little or no requirements 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Late winter to mid spring 2

Hazel, Wakelyns, UK / Tom Staton / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: Nuts 3

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp: Fencing 3

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood 3

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: Prolific nuts produced from about 10 years 5

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Coppiced on 6-9 year cycle, or 14-16 years with standard trees 3

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – shallow root depth and low canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Moderate 5
Highest value for leaf litter and epiphyte communities 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: Jan-Apr 1

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: Low 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Suckering roots, suitable rootstocks can be used to avoid this 7

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Low
Few disease issues 3
May be susceptible to honey fungus, silver leaf and powdery mildews 6

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Low
Few pest issues 3, may be susceptible to caterpillars, gall mites, aphids, sawflies 6

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
Moderate
Moderate sensitivity to browsing 7, moderately high palatability 8
Susceptible to browsing by deer and cattle, especially after coppicing 35
Nuts are susceptible to squirrel damage 456