What soil does Turkish hazel grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Turkish hazel hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Turkish hazel be planted?

Plant it at least 2.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Turkish hazel flower?

Flowering: February–March, yellow.

How much water does Turkish hazel need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Turkish hazel cost?

It sells for roughly €2.80 to €190 in local shops, depending on size.

Turkish hazel

Corylus colurna

Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €2.80.

Illustration of Turkish hazel — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A straight-trunked tree with a regular, cone-shaped crown and dense shade that takes drought, heat and city air well, which makes it a popular street tree and an undemanding specimen for larger gardens. Long yellow catkins decorate it in late winter and the corky bark is attractive too. The nuts in their frilly husks are edible but small and thick-shelled, mostly left to the squirrels, and the falling crop is messy over paving. Water it regularly in the first years after planting, as it is slow to establish.

Watch out for

It has no serious pests or diseases. It transplants poorly: newly planted trees start slowly and need regular watering in the first years. The clusters of frilly-husked nuts that drop in autumn mean a lot of sweeping on pavements, terraces and over parking spaces. Its late winter pollen is strongly allergenic, so it is not a tree for right under the window of anyone sensitive to hazel or birch pollen. Regrowth after hard pruning is brittle.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 3.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D February–March, yellow

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	6 m × 3.5 m
Ultimate size	12–25 m × 8–15 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	February–March, yellow
Harvest	September–October
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	800 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €2.80

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
60-100 cm	approx. €3.50
80-100 cm	approx. €3.50
100-125 cm	approx. €24
125-150 cm	approx. €44
size not stated	approx. €190

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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