- Characteristics
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Details
Hazel is an attractive, fast-growing multi-stemmed shrub or small tree whose large yellow catkins in February give the first inkling that spring is on its way. With a good rounded shape, and handsome leaves with yellow autumn colour, it is a versatile plant which can be used in a variety of ways. It has excellent wildlife value, and is planted commercially for its nut harvest in autumn.
Site and soil
Hazel will do well in most soils. It tolerates shade well and is often planted as an under-storey to oaks in woodland. Will cope well on coastal sites.
Height and spread
Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;
After 10 years: 4m x 2m
After 20 years: 6m x 4mLeaf and bark
The leaves are large and heart-shaped, with a sharply pointed tip. They are mid green, toothed and coarsely hairy; they turn yellow in autumn. The bark is a shiny grey-brown, peeling off in flakes.
Flower, seed and fruit
The male flowers are yellow catkins, to 6cm long, produced in early February. The female flowers are inconspicuous short red tufts. The shiny brown nuts ripen in September and are produced in small clusters; each nut is held within a green husk.
Uses
Hazel is one of the most important woody plants for coppicing. It can also be used for hedges and screens, as part of woodland under-storey, or grown as a single-stemmed small tree. The flexible coppiced stems are used for thatching spars, making woven screens and fencing, and in the past were used for making wattle and daub walls. Hazel rods are used for water divining. The foliage was once used as fodder for cattle. Hazelnuts are grown commercially for use in various food products; they are a good source of protein.
Wildlife
Although hazel catkins are wind-pollinated, they are a source of early pollen for bees. The larvae of several species of moths and butterflies feed on the leaves and twigs, and small mammals and large birds eat the nuts. Coppicing hazel in woodlands allows wild flowers like bluebells to thrive beneath the trees.
- Plant Protection
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The main reasons for buying protection is to protect the plants against:
- Pests
- Spraying
- Strimming
Pests
When it comes to deciding what protection to choose the golden rule is to choose the product dependent on which pest you are protecting against. The below will help you in deciding what height of protection you will need.
Vole, Mice
20cmRabbit
60cmHare
75cmRoe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mFallow Deer
1.50mPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.
Vole, Mice
20cmVole Guard
20cmNone required Pest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Rabbit
60cmSpiral Guard
60cm x 38mm, 60cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Easywrap
60cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsMesh Guard with Spray Shield
60cm x 130mm2 x Bamboo Canes
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Fruitwrap
60cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs or 14-16lbsTubex Ecostart
60cm x 57-73cmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
60cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelterguard Mesh Tube
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube for Shrubs
60cm x 130-160mm, 60cm x 170-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
75cm x 25mm, 75cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Hare
75cmTubex Easywrap
75cm x 50-65mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsSpiral Guard
75cm x 50mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Fruitwrap
75cm x 65-80mmBamboo Cane
90cm x 9-11lbs, 12-14lbs, 14-16lbs or 1.20m x 20-22lbsTubex Ecostart
75cm x 57-73mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Tree Shelter
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Combitube
75cm x 73-105mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube
90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube
75cm x 80-110mm, 90cm x 80-110mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmTubex Shrub Shelter
75cm x 130-160mm, 75cm x 144-200mmSquare Sawn Tree Stake
90cm x 25mm, 90cm x 32mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest
Roe Deer/Muntjac
1.20mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.20m x 73-105mm, 1.20m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.20m x 73-105mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.20m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.20m x 32mm, 1.35m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.20m x 300mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.20m x 50mm, 1.50m x 50mmPest & Minimum Protection Height Protection Type
Where more than one size is listed, the wider diameter protection is recommended for taller, bushier plants.Support Required
Taller support is recommended for use in sandier, lighter soils and wider/stronger support should be used at exposed sites.Sorted by price; lowest to highest Fallow Deer
1.50mTubex Tree Shelter*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Combitube*
1.50m x 80-120mm, 1.80m x 80-120mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Shelterguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmTubex Treeguard Mesh Tube*
1.50m x 80-110mm, 1.80m x 80-110mm
*Not recommended for this speciesSquare Sawn Tree Stake
1.50m x 32mm, 1.80m x 32mmGalvanised Mesh Tree Guard*
1.80m x 300mm, 1.80m x 600mm
*Not recommended for this speciesMachine Rounded Tree Stake
1.80m x 60mmSpraying
Tubex tree shelters offer the benefit of not only protecting against animal damage, they also ensure that herbicides do not come into contact with the plants during spraying.
The main reason for spraying is weed control, however, there are other options available to suppress weeds, such as weed control matting.
Strimming
Young plants should be protected from damage caused when strimming. To protect plants solely for strimming, our strimmer guards are the ideal product.
- Planting & Care
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Planting
More commonly used as part of a mixed species within a native hawthorn hedge.
New hedgerows should be planted in two staggered rows 30cm apart.
We recommend a minimum of 5 plants per metre.
Aftercare
Coppicing is carried out over winter. Hazel hedges should be trimmed after flowering in March.