Growing Hazelnut Trees in the UK: A Complete Guide

Growing Hazelnut Trees in the UK: A Complete Guide

Growing Hazelnut Trees in the UK: A Complete Guide

Growing hazel trees is one of the most rewarding green-fingered pursuits you can take on. These hardy native plants bring a host of benefits—supporting wildlife, providing sustainable wood, and, of course, giving you bucketloads of tasty, nutritious nuts every autumn.

While most of the world’s commercial hazelnuts come from Turkey (an eye-watering 550,000 tonnes annually), and Italy comes in a distant second with around 100,000 tonnes, the humble hazel is right at home here in the UK. It’s been thriving across these damp little isles for over 10,000 years—and still does, if given half a chance.

In this guide, we’ll explore the many uses of hazel trees, how to grow and care for them, and how to get the best from your hazelnut harvest.

What’s the Difference Between Hazelnuts, Cobnuts and Filberts?

You’ll often hear hazelnuts referred to as cobnuts or filberts. So what’s the deal?

Both cobnuts and filberts are cultivated varieties of hazel, bred for larger, tastier, and more plentiful nuts than the wild types. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but technically:

  • Cobnuts come from Corylus avellana, the European hazel.

  • Filberts come from Corylus maxima, the Balkan hazel.

The difference lies mostly in appearance. Cobnuts have short husks that expose the nut tip, while filberts have long husks that fully enclose the nut.

But honestly? Don’t sweat it. Whether cobnut, filbert or just plain hazelnut, they all offer the same wonderful perks: reliable yields, wildlife value, and plenty of food and timber to go around.

Why Grow Hazel? Uses and Benefits

Timber & Coppice

Hazel has been coppiced in Britain for centuries, and for good reason. It responds beautifully to this method of woodland management, where stems are regularly cut back to the base and allowed to regrow. This encourages vigorous new growth, extends the life of the tree, and provides a steady supply of versatile, sustainable wood.

Depending on the size of the cut stems, you can use hazel wood for:

  • Fencing and construction (larger poles)

  • Hurdles and wattle fencing (medium-sized)

  • Basketry and plant supports (smaller rods)

  • Firewood or charcoal

Coppicing is also brilliant for biodiversity. Opening up patches of light allows wildflowers, insects, birds and mammals to thrive. At our place, we keep a coppice stand for timber and a separate area for nut production, but you can choose what suits your needs best.

Food & Nutrition

Hazelnuts aren’t just delicious—they're also packed with nutrients. They contain healthy fats, protein, fibre, antioxidants, and important minerals like magnesium, calcium and vitamin E.

They can be eaten fresh or roasted, chopped into salads, ground into flour, or turned into spreads (we all know that one). Whether sweet or savoury, hazelnuts are as versatile as they are tasty—and make a brilliant addition to any self-sufficient food garden.

How to Grow Hazelnut Trees in the UK

Planting Hazel Trees

Hazels aren’t fussy. In fact, they prefer slightly poor, well-drained soils over rich, fertile ones. If the soil’s too rich, you’ll end up with loads of leafy growth and not many nuts.

Ideal soil conditions:

  • Light and sandy

  • pH 6.0–7.0

  • Good drainage (not waterlogged)

Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball, spread the roots gently, then backfill with your original soil. We like to top-dress with compost and mulch rather than mixing it into the hole. It helps suppress weeds and slowly feeds the plant.

One great addition? Mycorrhizal fungi powder. These beneficial microbes form symbiotic relationships with your tree’s roots, helping it absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. We’ve seen noticeably better establishment since using it.

Pruning Hazel Trees

Hazel naturally grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, which is usually the easiest form to manage. But you can train it as a standard tree with a single trunk—if you don’t mind the extra work.

For Multi-Stemmed Shrubs:

  • Prune during dormancy (late autumn to early spring)

  • Remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches

  • Open up the canopy for light and airflow

  • Remove up to a third of the total material annually

For Standard Trees:

  • Remove suckers at the base

  • Train a central leader and form a raised crown

  • Prune for shape, health and light penetration

Always use clean, sharp tools—and clean them between plants to avoid spreading disease.

Feeding & Watering

Hazels don’t need much feeding. A good layer of mulch each year will do the trick—woodchips, compost or well-rotted manure all work well.

Once established, they’re drought-tolerant. In their first couple of years, give them a soak during prolonged dry spells. But generally speaking, they thrive in our famously soggy British climate.

Harvesting & Storing Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are typically ready between September and October, depending on the weather. You’ll know they’re ripe when the papery husks begin to loosen and pull back from the nut. If unsure—taste one!

Top tips:

  • Harvest by hand, or use a Nut Wizard for larger areas

  • Watch out for grey squirrels—they’re your main competition

  • Store fresh nuts in the fridge (6 months) or freezer (longer)

  • Alternatively, dry them and keep in jars or vacuum-sealed containers

Pests & Diseases

The great news? Hazel trees are incredibly resilient.

Unlike walnuts or chestnuts, hazels have few major threats. Occasionally, aphids or gall mites might pay a visit—but they rarely cause significant damage.

Best UK Hazelnut Cultivars

We’ve covered this in more detail in our dedicated guide to the Best Hazelnut Cultivars for UK Gardens, but a few solid choices include:

  • 'Kent Cob' – A reliable, heavy-cropping British variety

  • 'Butler' – Large nuts and good disease resistance

  • 'Cosford' – Excellent flavour and ornamental value

Final Thoughts

Hazelnut trees are an ideal addition to any UK garden or homestead. They’re native, hardy, low-maintenance and offer genuine returns in food, fuel, and biodiversity. Whether you’re growing them for nuts, coppice, or simply to support pollinators and wildlife—hazel earns its place time and time again.

Easy to grow. Delicious to eat. Brilliant for the planet. What’s not to love?

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