![]() Evidence of large-scale Mesolithic nut processing, some 9,000 years old, was found in Scotland and Hazels have been used extensively across the temperate zone throughout all civilizations.ĭescription – Corylus avellana – Grows as a small tree or large shrub commonly reaching heights of 5 m with a 5 m spread, but sometimes can reach twice that height and takes a tree-like form. Humans have been enjoying hazels since prehistoric times and it is thought by some that hazelnuts provided a staple source of food before the days of wheat. Family – Betulaceae History Corylus avellana – Common Hazel (Image Credit: Balkan Ecology Project)Pollen counts reveal that Corylus avellana was the first of the temperate deciduous forest trees to immigrate, establish itself and then become abundant in the post-glacial period. ![]() Latin name – Corylus avellana, Corylus maxima Common name – Hazel, Hazelnut, Cobnut, Filbert, Spanish Nut, Pontic Nut, Lombardy Nut. (Image Credit: Balkan Ecology Project) Overview The leafy bracts that envelope the nuts are the easiest way of telling the species apart. This post we will focus solely on these popular nut producing species.ĭuring this post we’ll take a close look at these versatile plants, including how and where to grow them, growing them in polycultures, how they can be used in agroforestry systems, coppicing hazel, and we’ll look at some of my favourite hardy productive and disease resistant cultivars that we are offering from our Bionursery. ![]() There are 14–18 species in the Corylus genus but many of the European cultivars we have nowadays are Corylus avellana, Corylus maxima or the result of hybrids between these two species. The two species produce slightly different shape nuts and take different growth forms.Ĭorylus avellana produces Hazelnuts and Corylus maxima produce Filberts. When we speak of Hazel, we are generally referring to two species, Corylus avellana and Corylus maxima. a plant so good people started naming their daughters after it. Hazel is a multi-purpose champion of a plant that is super easy to grow, produces delicious nuts, pliable wood that can be crafted into a variety of products, provides early fodder for bees and an encouraging spectacle when flowering during the mid-winter. Mo’ Mulberry – The Essential Guide to all you need to know about Mulberry The longer the better with these, and ideally, they should be young and supple enough to twist the fibres.Paul Alfrey from Balkan Ecology Project takes a close look at these incredible plants including how to grow them, the uses of Mulberry and growing Mulberry in polycultures, permaculture and agroforestry. Heathering and binders are usually left uncut at the top end and are left in full length as they are used for whipping the top line of a hedgerow to neaten it up and hold it together, or can be used to wind into hurdles. Bean sticks can be around 8ft and are usually bill-hooked at the top end and along the length. You can see some of our handmade hurdles in the entrance of Dorothy’s Wood.īean sticks/heatherings/binders – young shoots with the thick end of an inch or less can be used in several ways. The shorter lengths of straight stakes we use to support the dead hedge habitats, as well as stakes for hurdles and fences. Hedgerow stakes – branches 1-2 inches in diameter that are straight (ideal length is 6ft) are great for structure. Habitats - bent, knotty tops and brittle older growth are used for dead hedging and log piles creating microhabitats for Forest inhabitants such as insects, small mammals and even birds.įirewood - anything over 2 inches in diameter could be considered firewood, but the bigger the better! It is important to recognise that coppicing is a technique in which we care for our trees, but what happens to all the wood once we are finished? Our forestry team adopts sustainable practices and re-uses the cut hazel wood for a variety of purposes dependent on the size and form of the branches: ![]()
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