Hazel (Corylus avellana)

Edibility:Edible Excellent

Eating notes: Hazel nuts can be eaten raw, but have a better flavour if briefly roasted. Use as you would any shop-bought nuts.

A common small tree, often found in hedge rows. Sometimes appearing as a large bush as it was traditionally coppiced.

Height: 5 - 10m

Leaves: Heart-shaped broad leaves up to 10cm long. 

Flowers: Flowers as catkins

Stems: Straight grey-brown smooth stems with ring-marks around the branches.

Nut: Nut shell 2-3cm in length, oval shaped, mid-brown. Nuts are half covered in overlapping bracts.