Hazelnut tree characteristics and flowering

Hazel, also called "Hazelnut corylus”, Consists of a deciduous fruit tree native to Asia and Europe, of which the hazelnut is its fruit.

It is possible that it is both planted for its nuts or as a wild tree and is part of the family of “Betulaceae”, Although there are around a dozen species belonging to the genus Corylus.

Hazel tree characteristics

The hazelnut tree is characterized by being a temperate tree, which requires average temperatures around 12 and 16ºC, in addition to a bit of humidity. However, it has the ability to endure minimum temperatures during the winter of approximately -8ºC.

Hazelnut usually grows around 6m tallIts bark is smooth and somewhat greyish in color and its simple, rounded and serrated leaves are also a bit rough. In relation to the ground, this tree requires soft ground and deep where the water does not stagnate. On the other hand, it is a fruit tree that requires a huge amount of water, which is why the hazelnut is usually a tree that does not resist drought very well.

Typically wild hazel grows from 0 to 1.600m altitude and it is usually edible; however, they are not very productive. In the case of cultivated hazelnut, it is possible to cultivate it not only in dry areas, but also in irrigation and it is necessary that there is enough wind in the pollination process, which takes place during the winter.

Its flowers and fruit

It is usually quite curious that the flowers of the hazel tree are born in early spring, even before the very leaves of the tree.

Its about flowers with spikes that can be differentiated; the feminine ones are of reddish tones while the masculine ones are of a yellow color. Likewise, hazelnut flowers turn out to be of anemophilic pollination in inflorescences, the male flowers begin to grow at the end of summer and continue to develop until the next winter; for their part, the feminine are usually less obvious and a little later, and only the small reddish styles stand out.

Likewise, the flowers they are usually called mucus, because the flower has a shape quite similar to that of nasal mucus.

Hazelnut born in groups of between 1 and 5 fruitsThe main characteristic of hazelnuts being the shell or shell, which almost completely covers the nut, exposing only a quarter of it. After 8 months, by the time the fruits ripen, the hazelnuts appear fully. Hazelnut flowering takes place during January and March; Its fruits, with a diameter of 1-2cm, are partially inside an envelope, which at the beginning is green and when maturing it turns brown, which is popularly known as "Copo".

Obviously, hazel is about a slightly sensitive fruit tree before the periods of droughts, although generally it is quite resistant. It is typical of temperate climates and it is necessary to wait about 8 months to finally appreciate how the hazelnuts ripen.

Hazelnut seed oil

Hazelnut oil usually is obtained from the seeds of the common hazel treeHowever, it is also possible to obtain it with different properties and characteristics when obtained from the American hazelnut or the Chilean hazelnut. Is about an edible oil, which is more commonly used as a cosmetic product.

The oil obtained from the common hazelnut, is usually of a luminous yellowish color somewhat lighter than olive oil; said oil is achieved through cold pressure from the seeds of the hazelnut tree. As a cosmetic product it is used to care for the skin and hair, like almond oil.