How to identify a hazel tree

Tree Profiles > How to identify a hazel tree

How do you identify a hazel tree?

Wondering if you are looking at a hazel tree? Your clues are their leaves, buds, seeds and catkins. Here’s what they look like at-a-glance:

Hello! In today’s guide we are going to learn how to identify a hazel tree. Are you ready? Let’s get started! Here are a few hazel facts:

Hazel trees can grow up to 12 meters tall, live for up to 80 years and can be found growing in hedgerows and woodlands.

Hazel leaves are rounded in shape with a poiny tip, toothed and lightly hairy.

Their buds are alternate, small, green and rounded.

Their nuts are light brown, round and surrounded by several ragged, leafy husks.

The young catkins are short, stubby, green and have a criss-cross texture.

The mature catkins are long, yellowish, soft and dangly. (The female flowers look like tiny buds with bright red tufts of hair.)

Hazel leaf

Linden leaf

Linden leaves look similar to hazel, but are wider at the base (and asymmetrical) and narrower at the tip.

Hazel catkins

Birch catkins

Birch catkins, when young, can look like hazel catkins, but are yellower in colour and have a more grainy texture.

Medicinal -Hazel nuts were traditionally used for inflammation and as a gentle, nutritive tonic
Dyes – Hazel produces a variety of yellowy, green and brown dyes.
Bushcraft – Hazelnuts are edible raw or cooked and a great source of minerals and protein.
Wildlife – Hazel nuts are important to a variety of animals including the hazel dormouse.