Corylus avellana

Corylus avellana, the Hazel, is a deciduous, shrubby or multi stemmed tree native to Britain, Europe and Western Asia. It is often found in mixed woodlands or hedgerows and can grow to heights of up to 8 metres.  Long, yellow catkins are a welcome feature in spring, and its inconspicuous flowers produce edible nuts in leafy husks from late summer.   In autumn, its large, rounded, green leaves turn yellow.  Grown for large scale nut production until the 1900s, hazlenuts remain an important food source for insects, small mammals, particularly dormice, and small birds.  Hazels grow well in moist, well drained soil in sun or partial shade.