Turkish hazel Corylus colurna
Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Betulaceae family, native to South-east Europe to Iran. It grows 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
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Turkish hazel at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Mature height | 12–20 m (39–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: nuts (small, thick-shelled) |
| Native to | South-east Europe to Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Turkish hazel toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Tree-nut allergy applies.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Turkish hazel
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Turkish hazel
- How far apart should I plant Turkish hazel?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Turkish hazel need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Turkish hazel need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Turkish hazel?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Turkish hazel flower?
- From about February for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Turkish hazel poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Tree-nut allergy applies.
- What grows well with Turkish hazel?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Turkish hazel. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- A tidy pyramidal street tree, tolerant of drought and paving; used as rootstock for orchard hazels.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Silver birch Betula pendula
- Common hazel Corylus avellana
- River birch Betula nigra
- European hornbeam Carpinus betulus
- Paper birch Betula papyrifera
- Mountain birch Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii
- Himalayan birch (bhojpatra; white-barked jacquemontii) Betula utilis
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo