Corylus x colurnoides

Schneid.

Trazel, Turkish trazel

Betulaceae Edible: Nuts, Seeds 15 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A deciduous tree growing to 15 m tall and wide. Flowers appear April to May. Bears both male and female flowers on the same plant, wind-pollinated. Grows in light, medium, or heavy soils with mildly acid to basic pH, tolerating very alkaline conditions. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun and prefers moist soil. Withstands strong winds but not coastal exposure.

Description

Edible Uses

The seeds are very tasty and make an excellent dessert nut, with a flavour similar to cob and filbert. They can be eaten raw, or dried and ground into a powder for use in nut milks, bread, and other baked goods. Seeds ripen in mid to late autumn and will likely need protection from squirrels. Stored unshelled in a cool place, they keep for at least 12 months. An edible oil is also obtained from the seed.

Traditional Uses

The nut is eaten raw. It can also be used in puddings, bread, cakes and nut milk.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

None known

Distribution

It is winter hardy.

Where It Grows

Europe, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones. Does well in a loamy soil. Very suitable for an alkaline soil, but it dislikes very acid soils. Plants are fairly wind tolerant. A hybrid of garden origin, it combines the non-suckering, winter hardiness and vigorous growth of C. colurna with the free-falling, early bearing and large nut size of C. avellana. There are some named varieties, selected for their edible seeds. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large.

Propagation

Sow seed as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame; it germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours, then given 2 weeks of warm stratification followed by 3–4 months of cold stratification. Germination takes 1–6 months at 20°C. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame or sheltered spot through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer. Note that this species is a hybrid and will not come true from seed. Layering in autumn is easy and takes about 6 months.

Other Uses

An oil is obtained from the seed.

Notes

There are about 15 Corylus species.

Synonyms

An artifical hybrid of C. avellana & C. colurna

References (2)

Ill. Handb. Laubholzk. 1:145, t. 83 fig. R. 1905
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/