Hazel is any one of about 15 trees and shrubs that grow in the temperate climates of Asia, Europe, and North America. Two hazels are native to the United States--the beaked hazel and the American hazel. Hazel is often called filbert or cobnut, as are the edible nuts it produces. Most hazels cultivated for nuts grow in southern Europe and the Northwestern United States.

Hazels have large, oval leaves with toothed edges. They turn yellow in the autumn. The plants bear male and female flowers. The male flowers are tassel like clusters called catkins (see CATKIN). The female blossoms grow on separate twigs. They are so small that they are hard to see.

Hazels furnish valuable cover and food for wildlife. A species with purple leaves and another with twisted branches are grown as ornamentals.

Although hazels are small, their branches are strong and flexible. People have used them to make baskets, whip handles, hoops, and many similar articles.

In ancient times, many people believed that a forked hazel twig had supernatural powers. Stories tell how divining rods of hazel can be used to find water or minerals underground. Witch hazel does not belong to the group of true hazels. But it was supposed by the ancients to have many magic powers. 

Scientific Classification. Hazels belong to the birch family, Betulaceae. The scientific name for the beaked hazel is Corylus cornuta. The American hazel is C. americana.

Contributor: Richard A. Jaynes, Ph.D., Horticulturalist and Consultant, Broken Arrow Nursery.

 See also:  HAZELNUT