Plant the hazelnut in your own garden? Not a bad idea - but will it become a bush or a tree? Many hazelnut lovers ask themselves this question and here comes the answer…
Small tree or large shrub
The hazelnut can grow into either a bush or a tree. Most of the cases that can be found in this country are hazelnut bushes. The reason is that the hazelnut is more difficult to grow than a tree. Responsible for this are her many stick rashes, which she likes to train and which make her appear bushy.
Whether as a small tree or as a large shrub, the hazelnut grows moderately in the first few years of its life. Later, when it has gained a foothold in its location, it grows stronger and often becomes a nuisance for many gardeners that is difficult to remove.
The hazelnut as a bush
As a shrub, the hazelnut reaches an average height of 5 m. Its maximum height is 6 m. When grown as a shrub, it occupies a space between 4 and 6 m wide.
The hazelnut bush has a multi-stemmed structure and is well branched and branched from the base. It grows upright and acquires a dense appearance. Due to its dense growth, the hazelnut shrub is ideal as:
- hedge
- privacy screen
- windbreak
- noise protection
- bird protection
The hazelnut as a tree
In the rarest cases, the hazelnut grows into a small tree. As a tree, it reaches a size of between 7 and 10 m. The crown is broadly diversified, as the branches tend to spread far apart with age. This results in an umbrella-like shape that makes the hazelnut tree a valuable source of shade.
But why are there so few hazelnut trees that would be ideal for home gardens, open lawns and large patios? The reason is that the hazelnut develops saplings at the base of its trunk. They give the plant a shrub-like appearance.
tips and tricks
Since the hazelnut likes to develop rashes, it is easier to plant it as a shrub. This saves the regular removal of the rashes, which takes time and patience.