Hazelnut trees are among the oldest deciduous trees in our latitudes. The nuts of the robust tree, which grew as early as 6,000 years before Christ, are not only appreciated by humans, but also by squirrels and other animals.

Hazelnut tree from the birch family

The botanical name of the hazelnut, also known as common hazel, is Corylus avellana. It is a deciduous deciduous tree that often occurs in shrub form.

The tree is hardy and easily tolerates frosts down to minus 30 degrees.

The spread of the hazelnut tree

Hazelnut trees are particularly widespread in Central Europe. They grow on road and forest edges as well as in mixed forests. In the garden they are often planted as a hazelnut hedge.

Since the tree is very robust, it can withstand extreme temperatures such as those found in Northern Europe or Asia Minor. There, too, hazelnuts are quite common in nature.

That's how tall hazelnut trees grow

Over time, the trees reach a height of up to six meters. Hazelnut trees usually consist of several side branches. There is very seldom a solid single trunk like that of the birch or the beech.

Hazelnut trees get quite old

Hazelnut trees can be up to 100 years old. From the tenth year you can harvest nuts from the tree.

The bark of the hazelnut tree

The trunks, which can reach a diameter of 18 centimeters, do not form a typical bark. They remain smooth and are light brown in color.

The leaves of the hazelnut

The leaves are rounded to ovate and light to medium green in colour. They reach a length of five to six centimeters. They are heavily jagged at the edges. The botanist speaks of "sawn".

Small hairs form on the underside of the leaf, giving the leaves a velvety feel.

Hazelnut trees propagate through hazelnuts

Depending on the weather, hazelnut trees begin to bloom as early as February. They train yellow kittens, which serve as the first food for the bees in spring.

Hazelnuts develop from the flowers. Hazelnuts are harvested in autumn when the nuts have turned brown and fall to the ground.

Hazelnut trees are not self-pollinating. You must always plant at least two trees or shrubs if you want to harvest a lot of hazelnuts.

Hazelnuts in the kitchen

Hazelnuts are particularly popular as a baking ingredient. But hazelnut leaves can also be used in the kitchen. Tea from the leaves is used in naturopathy for various ailments.

This is how the wood from hazelnut trees is used

The wood can not only be used for the construction of furniture. Often it is used for:

  • wooden fences
  • tool handles
  • carvings
  • walking sticks
  • wooden furniture

tips and tricks

The pollen from the catkins, which bloom on the hazelnut trees in early spring, triggers hay fever in many people. Allergy sufferers also react to the hazelnuts themselves with severe symptoms.

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Category:

Vegetable garden