Hazel

Corylus avellana

Hazel is most commonly seen as a shrub because of its lack of a main trunk. Hazel woodlands are usually managed by regular cutting known as coppicing so that each hazel sends up a large number of near vertical branches from ground level. If uncoppiced, Hazel trees can grow to a height of 8-10 metres and produce a trunk. Easily recognisable at any time of year, hazel is characterised by its yellow brown twigs and its developing green male flowers known as catkins during the winter. In spring these catkins open out to release their pollen and appear as long yellow strands (see images hazel4, hazel5, & hazel6 below.)

The female flower is a tiny red structure which captures pollen particles from the wind (see image "female hazel" below.   Each Hazel tree has both male and female flowers.  Its rounded hairy leaves with pointed tips are characteristic in the Summer, while Autumn sees the maturing hazelnuts as they turn from green to brown. Managed Hazel woodlands are especially important in supporting the endangered Dormouse. Correctly coppiced, the hazel bushes interlock with outward growing branches enabling the arboreal dormouse to move from tree to tree in search of Hazelnuts, one of its favourite foods.