Description
Corylus colurna – Turkish Hazel
Brief Description: The Turkish Hazel is one of the most valuable and frequently underestimated urban tree species – uniformly conical, long-lived, exceptionally robust, and bearing decorative fruits in autumn. In spring, the typical hazel catkins appear, and in autumn, the nuts enclosed in fringed husks ripen, which are also edible for humans. As a stable, low-maintenance urban tree, it is still far too rarely used in Southern Germany.
- Semi-shade tree species
- Avoids lean sandy or swampy soils
- Valuable timber for furniture, also usable in hydraulic engineering
- Taproot with intensive root system, easily plantable even on stony soils
- Edible fruits
- Bee pasture
- High calorific value
Climatic Properties & Site Conditions: The Turkish Hazel originates from continental Western Asia and tolerates heat, drought, and severe frosts down to –30 °C exceptionally well. It grows on almost all soils – acidic or calcareous, dry or moderately fresh – making it one of the most site-tolerant tree species for urban conditions. It is ideally suited for roadside greenery, city squares, and dry slopes throughout Southern Germany.
Advantages: Exceptional heat, drought, and frost hardiness, urban climate resistant, lime tolerant, uniform conical growth, edible fruits, few pest problems, very low maintenance.
Disadvantages: Not native, lower ecological value than native hazel, slow juvenile growth, large space requirement in old age, rare in private garden trade.
