Plant Profile

Common HazelCorylus avellana

A robust, multi-stemmed shrub with nutritious fruits.

Woody plants Nuts Birch family

Calendar

Common Hazel: plant portrait. harvest: September - October.

Quick profile

Key data

Growing calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Direct sowing outdoorsPlanting outdoorsHarvestPruning

Suitable growing locations:

Outdoor garden bed

Good neighbors

Wild GarlicComfrey

Avoid

Walnut

Indoor & direct sowing

Common Hazel: Sowing and germination

Indoor sowing

Indoor sowing unusual; germination typically occurs outdoors after frost exposure.

Direct sowing outdoors

Direct sowing in autumn allows for natural stratification over winter.

Seed depth5 - 8 cm

Germination temp4 - 15 °C

Germination time180 - 360 days

Light germinatorNo

Dark germinatorYes

Cold germinatorYes

Stratification neededYes

Pre-soaking recommendedYes

Planting & site

Common Hazel: Planting and spacing

Planting outdoors

Planting preferred in autumn or early spring before bud break.

Plant spacing300 - 500 cm

Row spacing400 - 600 cm

Plants per m²0.04 - 0.1 per m²

Bed widthfrom 200 cm

Site & practical notes

Temperature & frost

Common Hazel: Temperature and site

Growing temperaturefrom 5 °C

Optimal temperature15 - 25 °C

Max. heatup to 35 °C

Soil temperature2 - 10 °C

Frost sensitiveNo

Late frost sensitiveYes

Heat tolerancemedium

Cold tolerancehigh

Water & nutrients

Common Hazel: Water, nutrients and care

Watermedium

Critical water phasesFlowering period, Fruit development in summer

Watering methodGround-level watering

Droughtlow

Waterlogging sensitiveYes

Mulching recommendedYes

Nutrient needmedium feeder

Compost recommendedYes

Fertilizer sensitivitylow

Container & growth

Common Hazel: Container, support and growth

Container suitableNo

Pot sizeVolume: from 60 l; Recommended: from 100 l; Diameter: from 50 cm; Depth: from 50 cm

SupportNo

Height300 - 600 cm

Width250 - 500 cm

Root depth50 - 100 cm

Root spread200 - 400 cm

Yield1 - 4 kg

Year plan

Common Hazel Calendar

Plants

Golden-yellow catkins in a gray January.

Year overview

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Direct sowing outdoors

Planting outdoors

Harvest

Pruning

Recurring tasks

Main pruning and rejuvenationJanuary - February

Before bud swell on frost-free days.

Thinning cutJanuary - February

Remove old shoots near ground level to allow light into the center.

Removal of root suckersJune - July

Tear out or cut excess suckers close to the ground.

Collect hazelnutsSeptember - October

Collect regularly from the ground to prevent mold.

Relevant now

June

No additional single task

Next up

July

No additional single task

Monthly tasks

Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.

January

Although monoecious, cross-pollination by a different variety is essential for a good yield.

Pruning & care

Common Hazel Pruning & care

Pruning type

renewal pruning

Pruning timing

Winter

Main pruning and rejuvenation Before bud swell on frost-free days.

Summer

Removal of root suckers Tear out or cut excess suckers close to the ground.

Remove

Preserve

Avoid

Tools and hygiene

Use sharp loppers and a hand saw if necessary; clean tools after use.

Companion guide

Common Hazel Companion guide

Companion guide

Good neighbors

Wild GarlicComfrey

Avoid

Walnut

Use & storage

Common Hazel Use & storage

Harvest

Harvest when nuts turn brown and fall easily from the husks.

Storage

Dry storage

Storage life

Approx. 12 months in shell; significantly shorter when shelled.

Harvest

Harvest when nuts turn brown and fall easily from the husks.

Processing

After harvest

Dry nuts in a well-ventilated, shaded spot until the kernels rattle.

Edibility & safety

Common Hazel Edibility & safety

For people

In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.

Edible parts:Seeds (nut kernel)

Caution parts:Nut shell, Involucre (husk)

Raw consumption:Highly suitable; classic snack nut.

Safety notes

Non-toxic, but high allergenic potential for allergy sufferers.

Animal safety

For many animals, this plant is generally low-risk: 12 animal types are rated suitable or mostly suitable. Quantity, plant part, and individual tolerance still matter.

Animal safety by plant part

Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.

Companion animals

Dog

Seeds (nut kernel)

No risk parts listed

Risk factors

High fat content may cause pancreatitis, Choking hazard with whole nuts

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset with excessive consumption

observe

Hazelnut kernels are suitable for dogs in small amounts as an occasional treat, but due to high fat content should only be fed infrequently. Whole nuts pose a choking hazard. Shell and husk are not toxic but poorly digestible and should not be fed. No known toxic compounds in Corylus avellana for dogs. Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal upset. Seek veterinary assistance for signs of pancreatitis or…

Open animal page

Cat

Seeds (nut kernel)

No risk parts listed

Risk factors

High fat content may cause pancreatitis, Choking hazard with whole nuts

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset with excessive consumption

observe

The nut kernel of Corylus avellana is safe for cats in small amounts as a treat. The shell and husk are indigestible and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Due to high fat content, feeding should be limited. No known toxic compounds in Corylus avellana for cats.

Open animal page

Rabbit

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Hazelnut kernels are suitable for rabbits as an occasional treat, but leaves, bark, and young shoots may cause gastrointestinal irritation due to tannins and essential oils. Feed only the kernels in small amounts.

Open animal page

Guinea pig

Seeds (nut kernel)

Blätter, Rinde, Unreife Früchte

unknown

No reliable species-specific assessment is available.

Open animal page

Hamster

Seeds (nut kernel)

Blätter, Rinde, Unreife Früchte

unknown

No direct species-specific source was found for hamsters. This is a cautious inference from the guinea pigs profile and the known plant-part risks.

Open animal page

Budgie

Seeds (nut kernel)

Nut shell, Involucre (husk), Leaves

Risk factors

allergies

Symptoms

possible gastrointestinal upset

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Hazelnuts are safe for budgies if fed in moderation. However, the nut shell and leaves should be avoided.

Open animal page

Farm animals

Horse

No suitable parts listed

No risk parts listed

unknown

Hazelnuts are suitable for horses in moderation as a treat. The nut kernel is edible and nutrient-rich, but due to high fat content should be fed sparingly. Shell and husk are difficult to digest and should be removed. No known toxic compounds for horses.

Open animal page

Chicken

Nut kernels (shelled)

Nut shells, Husk (involucre), Leaves

Risk factors

Ingestion of nut shells, Consumption of large quantities, Consumption of whole, unshelled nuts

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset (if shells or large quantities consumed), Impaction (if shells consumed), Choking hazard (from whole nuts or shell pieces)

observe

Hazelnut kernels are suitable as a treat for chickens in small quantities, provided they are shelled and crushed. Nut shells and husks are indigestible and can lead to digestive issues or impaction. Leaves and twigs are not suitable as feed and should not be consumed in large quantities. The high fat content of nuts requires moderation to prevent obesity and digestive upset.

Open animal page

Duck

Seeds (nut kernel)

Nut shell, Involucre (husk), Leaves

Risk factors

Overfeeding, Consumption of shells or husks

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset (e.g., diarrhea), Choking hazard (from shells), Impaction (from shells)

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Hazelnut kernels are suitable for ducks in moderation as a treat. They are high in fat and should only be offered rarely and in small quantities to prevent obesity and digestive issues. Nut shells and husks are indigestible and pose a choking or impaction hazard. Leaves and bark are not suitable as feed and should not be consumed in large quantities.

Open animal page

Goose

Nut kernels (without shell and husk)

Nut shells, Involucres (husks), Leaves

Risk factors

Consumption of whole nuts (choking hazard, gastrointestinal issues), Overconsumption (high fat content, obesity)

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset (if shells/husks consumed), Constipation, Choking hazard (for whole nuts)

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Hazelnut kernels can be offered in very small quantities as an occasional treat. Whole nuts, shells, husks, leaves, and twigs are not suitable and can cause digestive issues, choking hazards, or obesity if overfed. The high fat content of nuts requires strict moderation.

Open animal page

Sheep

Leaves, Twigs

No risk parts listed

Risk factors

Excessive consumption of nuts.

Symptoms

Digestive upset if nuts are consumed in excess.

observe

Hazelnut is a common forage for sheep. Leaves and twigs are well-tolerated. Nuts can be fed in moderation, but excessive consumption may lead to digestive upset. There are no known toxic compounds.

Open animal page

Goat

Leaves, Twigs

No risk parts listed

Risk factors

Excessive consumption of nuts.

Symptoms

With excessive consumption of nuts: gastrointestinal upset.

usually no action needed

Common Hazel is generally safe for goats and is valued as forage. The nuts themselves are nutritious but should be fed in moderation to avoid gastrointestinal upset. The leaves and twigs are also safe and can be part of the diet.

Open animal page

Cattle

Leaves, Stems

No risk parts listed

Risk factors

Excessive consumption of nut shells or husks may lead to digestive upset.

usually no action needed

Common Hazel is generally safe for cattle and is valued as forage. The nuts themselves are nutritious. While the nut shells and husks are not toxic, excessive consumption may lead to digestive upset.

Open animal page

Pig

Seeds (nut kernel)

Nut shell, Involucre (husk)

Risk factors

Excessive consumption of nut shells or involucres

Symptoms

Gastrointestinal upset with excessive consumption

observe

Hazelnuts are generally safe for pigs, especially the kernels. Excessive consumption, particularly of shells and husks, can lead to gastrointestinal upset. They are not intended as a primary feed source but can be given occasionally as a supplement or treat.

Open animal page

These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.

Max risk

unknown

Highest status

not established

Urgency

contact a vet if symptoms appear

Saving seed

Common Hazel Saving seed

Seed viability

1 - 2 years

Method

Sowing of fully ripe, undried nuts in autumn.

Practical tips

Common Hazel Practical tips

Common beginner mistakes

Planting young shrubs too deep.

Success pattern

High yield from the 5th to 7th year with correct variety choice.

High-impact tips

Leave leaves under the shrub as natural fertilizer.

Grower observations

Birds and squirrels are often faster than the gardener.

Health

Pests, Diseases

Pests

Hazelnut Weevil

Small bore holes in the nut shell; larvae eat the kernel.

Hazel Bud Mite

Abnormally swollen buds ('big buds') that fail to open.

Diseases

Powdery Mildew

White, powdery coating on the upper leaf surfaces in late summer.

Monilia Fruit Rot

Brown, rotting nuts with grey fungal pustules.

Deficiencies

Magnesium Deficiency

Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins) on older leaves.

Plant health

Diagnosis help

Common Hazel Diagnosis help

Pest groups

Disease groups

Prevention

Diagnosis

Holes in nuts almost always indicate the hazelnut weevil. Check swollen buds in winter for gall mites.

Cultural prevention

Monitoring

First response

Diagnostic rules

Buds are ball-shaped and thickened in late winter

Possible causes: Phytoptus avellanae

Break open buds to check for mites
Mark affected shoots

FAQ

Why is my hazelnut not bearing fruit?

Often a second pollinator shrub is missing, or late frosts have destroyed the blossoms.

Is Common Hazel safe for Dog?

Common Hazel is classified as moderation only for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. Hazelnut kernels are suitable for dogs in small amounts as an occasional treat, but due to high fat content should only be fed infrequently. Whole nuts pose a choking hazard. Shell and husk are not toxic but poorly digestible and should not be fed. No known toxic compounds in Corylus avellana for dogs. Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal upset. Seek veterinary assistance for signs of pancreatitis or…

Is Common Hazel safe for Cat?

Common Hazel is classified as moderation only for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: observe. The nut kernel of Corylus avellana is safe for cats in small amounts as a treat. The shell and husk are indigestible and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Due to high fat content, feeding should be limited. No known toxic compounds in Corylus avellana for cats.

Is Common Hazel safe for Rabbit?

Common Hazel is classified as not established for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. Hazelnut kernels are suitable for rabbits as an occasional treat, but leaves, bark, and young shoots may cause gastrointestinal irritation due to tannins and essential oils. Feed only the kernels in small amounts.

Is Common Hazel safe for Guinea pig?

Common Hazel is classified as moderation only for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.