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Summary
Corylus cornuta var. californica – Western beaked hazel or California hazelnut. Large shrub, 4 to 15 m (13 to 49 ft) tall;[7] 'beak' shorter, usually less than 3 cm (1+1/4 in). Occurs below 2,100 m (6,900 ft) in California and below 800 m (2,600 ft) in British Columbia. Corylus species.
The hazel is a genus of deciduous shrubby trees and large shrubs native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Some Corylus species can tolerate Mediterranean climates if provided with sufficient water and are not well-suited to arid or semi-arid climates. Worth considering is Beaked Hazel (C. cornuta), whose native range is Canada to the U.S.A., including California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Washington. Turkish Hazel (C. colurna) native range from SE. Europe to N. Iran. including Greece, Iran, North Caucasus, Romania, Transcaucasus, and Turkey and has been introduced to Spain. European or Common Hazelnut (C. avellana) native range is Europe to the Caucasus, including Corsica, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, Spain and Turkey. It has sweet nuts with a thin shell. Suitable cultivars are ‘Cosford’, ‘Pearson’s Prolific’ and ‘Red Majestic’.
The sweet nuts of all hazels, cultivated for centuries, are edible and will make a tasty addition to any food forest. Often grown as a coppiced shrub in woodlands, regenerating shoots allow for stem harvests every few years. Coppicing is a traditional woodland management method where stems are repeatedly cut down near the ground, creating a timber self-renewing source. Make wattle fencing, thatching spars, walking sticks, fishing rods, basketry, and pea and bean sticks from the new growth. Most tree species will coppice, but hazel, sweet chestnut, ash and lime are more suited. Coppicing hazel prevents over-shading, allowing ground layer plants to thrive and creating dense wildlife habitats. Hazel coppice cycles are 7-10 years. The flat, suckering root pattern forms a plate near the soil surface.
The sweet nuts are excellent raw or roasted for bread, cakes, biscuits, pies, and sweets. Liquidized with water, they make tasty plant milk. Extracted hazelnut oil is used for salad dressings and cooking. The nuts keep for at least 12 months if unshelled. Fertile soils can lead to excessive growth and inferior crop sizes. Planting two or more cultivars and growing in groups produces better pollination. Larger nuts are grown on old wood.
Physical Characteristics
Corylus cornuta californica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 8 m (26ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
C. californica. (A.DC.)Sharp. C. rostrata californica.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Oil Seed
Edible Uses: Oil
Seed - raw or cooked[177]. Eaten fresh or preserved for winter use[183]. The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[K]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Biomass Fencing Fibre Oil Paper
Hazels can be used in agroforestry systems as a hedge, windbreak, or for erosion control. They can also be intercropped with other plants, benefiting soil health and biodiversity. A fibre is obtained from the inner bark and is used to make paper[189]. The branches are removed in the autumn, the leaves removed and the branches steamed then the fibre is removed[189]. The fibres are cooked for two hours with lye and then put through a blender[189]. It makes a brown paper[189]. The fibre is also used for cordage[189]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
No – Hazels produce wind-pollinated catkins, which are not rich in nectar, but they do produce pollen that some insects may utilize.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – The nuts (hazelnuts) are a valuable food source for birds, small mammals, and insects. Hazels also provide dense foliage for shelter and nesting, while leaf litter supports a variety of organisms.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – Hazels provide excellent overwintering sites in their rough bark and dense foliage. The leaf litter supports invertebrates and provides shelter at ground level.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Hazels do not have a strong scent that would confuse or repel pests.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[11, 200]. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones[11, 63]. Does well in a loamy soil[11]. Very suitable for an alkaline soil[11], but it dislikes very acid soils[17]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[1, 11]. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[11].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[164]. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification[164]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[78, 200]. Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Western beaked hazel or California hazelnut. Corylus cornuta ssp. californica. Corylus cornuta var. californica
Native Range
British Columbia, California, Oregon, Washington
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Corylus americana | American Hazel | Tree | 3.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Corylus avellana | Common Hazel, Common filbert, European Filbert, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, Corkscrew Hazel, Hazel | Tree | 6.0 |
4-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Corylus avellana pontica | | Tree | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Corylus chinensis | Chinese Hazel | Tree | 24.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Corylus colurna | Turkish Hazel, Chinese hazelnut, Turkish Filbert, Turkish Hazel | Tree | 20.0 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Corylus cornuta | Beaked Hazel, California hazelnut, Turkish Filbert, Turkish Hazel | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Corylus fargesii | | Tree | 15.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Corylus ferox | Himalayan Hazel, Tibetan hazelnut | Tree | 10.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Corylus heterophylla | Siberian Filbert | Tree | 7.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Corylus hybrids & neohybrids | Hybrid & Neohybrids, Hazel, Filbert | Shrub | 25.0 |
4-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Corylus jacquemontii | Indian Tree Hazel | Tree | 25.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Corylus maxima | Filbert, Giant filbert | Shrub | 6.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Corylus sieboldiana | Japanese Hazel, Manchurian hazel | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Corylus sieboldiana mandschurica | Hairy hazel, Japanese hazelnut, | Shrub | 4.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Corylus tibetica | | Tree | 15.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Corylus x colurnoides | Trazel | Tree | 15.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Corylus x vilmorinii | Chinese Trazel | Tree | 25.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
(A.DC.)E.Murray.
Botanical References
1171200
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