Hazelnut Tree

[bario1]

Hi All,

Does anyone grow hazlenuts on their plots? Is it worth it? How big do the trees get and are they attractive to look at?

Just wondering as I'm thinking of getting one but don't want some ugly, unattractive monster tree in the middle of my plot in five year's time!

Thanks!

[Scarlet]

Don't put them on your allotment - they grow huge, you'll get squirrels in staight away and will end up getting just a handful. Not sure how well you can see, but those two huge bushes infront of the tall conifer tree are hazelnuts.

[nickdub]

I have a couple of nut trees. Mine grow about 15 foot high roughly - you could keep them smaller if you wanted to prune them I think.

Trouble free and easy to grow but no chance of nuts unless you take on the squirrels, which I do sometimes by saving up some old tins to take bunches of the developing nuts inaccessible.

Lots of named varieties out there, I'd be tempted to grow more if I could find a better way of dealing with the squirrel problem.

[Scarlet]

I grew some in the hope that the squirrels would leave me some walnuts! ...iit made no difference!

Ours are much taller than 15ft, we do prune down every few years or so, but not only do they grow tall they really do grow out

[veggiechicken]

The best crop I get from my hazelnuts are bean sticks. As others have said, the squirrels always get there first.

[Scarlet]

^^^yes, I use mine for sticks too!

Upside down!

[Hereford fruit grower]

Mine are outside the kitchen window = the best place. So far, for the last two years, I pick when when I first see a squirrel arrive, end of Aug. They're then just about mature and ripe enough to dry off indoors.

The squirrels even 'help' me. If I go back out a day or so later, I usually find some nuts lying on the ground which the squirrels have found on the tree, picked and not hidden away.

Don't plant on an allotment for these reasons. You'll lose many/all.

Some varieties make enormous trees. I gave away Cosford as it was growing out of control. The ones that say 'weak' or 'medium' growth might all be OK in a garden. Mine are only the height of my dwarf apple and pear trees; suits me. This year I bent down some branches and I'm waiting to see if the crop increases.

Very easy crop. I think north Herefordshire soil is too rich to be ideal for them though. The growth is extremely lush and green. The leaves tend to hide the nuts.

[ESBkevin]

If you propogate a few I suggest you plant them in a local convenient hedgerow and enjoy anything that develops. but expect nothing so you aren't disappointed.

[DannyK]

Since 1995 have had two nuts from two trees. Squirrels are to blame.
You could try Corylus maxima 'Purple Filbert'. At least you'll have decorative foliage.