Corylus Avellana - Hazel

Corylus avellana, commonly known as Hazel, is a versatile, fast-growing native British shrub or small tree, valued for both its ornamental and practical uses. Its multi-stemmed habit and rounded shape provide structure in woodland, hedges, and wildlife plantings, while the bright yellow catkins of February signal the arrival of spring. Hazel produces attractive mid-green leaves that turn golden yellow in autumn, offering seasonal interest. It is widely planted for its nut harvest, coppicing potential, and exceptional wildlife value.

Hazel is highly adaptable, thriving on most soil types, tolerating shade, and performing well in coastal sites. It is often used as an understorey beneath oak woodlands, in mixed native hedges, or as a specimen small tree. The species supports pollinators, insects, birds, and mammals: catkins provide early pollen for bees, moth and butterfly larvae feed on leaves and twigs, and nuts are consumed by small mammals and birds. Coppiced Hazel allows wildflowers such as bluebells to flourish beneath the trees, contributing to biodiversity and naturalistic planting schemes.

This is the size and type we sell: Corylus avellana Hazel 20–50cm Cell Grown, Corylus avellana Hazel 20–40cm 1+0, Corylus avellana Hazel 40–60cm 1+0, Corylus avellana Hazel 40–60cm 1+1, and Corylus avellana Hazel 60–80cm 1+1, professionally grown for hedging, coppicing, woodland understorey, wildlife planting, and nut production.

Features & Benefits

Native, fast-growing multi-stemmed shrub or small tree

Bright yellow catkins in February signal spring

Attractive mid-green leaves with yellow autumn colour

Excellent for coppicing, hedges, and woodland understorey

Produces edible nuts harvested commercially or for wildlife

Supports pollinators, insects, birds, and small mammals

Flexible stems historically used for fencing, wattle-and-daub, and thatching

Applications

Woodland understorey and naturalistic planting

Native hedges and mixed-species wildlife hedges

Coppicing projects and sustainable timber use

Nut production for human consumption and animal fodder

Garden and park specimen planting

Council, landowner, and ecological planting schemes

Height & Spread (Approximate)

After 10 years: 4m height x 2m spread

After 20 years: 6m height x 4m spread

Growth assumes suitable site conditions.

Botanical Name | Corylus avellana

Common Name | Hazel

Plant Type | Deciduous shrub/small tree

Growth Rate | Fast

Mature Height | Up to 6m+

Mature Spread | Up to 4m

Soil Type | Most soils; tolerates shade and coastal sites

Aspect | Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness | Fully hardy in the UK

Plant Size & Type | 20–50cm Cell Grown / 20–40cm 1+0 / 40–60cm 1+0 / 40–60cm 1+1 / 60–80cm 1+1

Maintenance | Coppice winter; hedges trimmed after flowering in March

Wildlife Value | Early pollen for bees, leaves feed moth/butterfly larvae, nuts eaten by mammals and birds