197. Seen-It-All Hazel
Derby’s renowned Arboretum has many interesting trees, a nut tree is of particular interest.
Derby Arboretum is important. It was designed by John Claudius Loudon, originator of the Gardenesque style and arguably the most influential nineteenth-century landscape designer. Opened in 1840, it is one of England’s oldest public parks. Several trees from this period survive, including the Seen-It-All Hazel. Turkish hazels have been much planted as street trees in recent decades, as, unlike the unruly multi-stemmed hazel (Corylus avelana) of coppice woodlands and hedgerows, they become large but neat pyramidal trees. Old trees of this species are very rare indeed – this one, a great curiosity, now requires propping up in its dotage.
Species details
Turkish hazel
Corylus colurna
Where to find it
Derby Arboretum, Arboretum Square, Rose Hill Street, Derby DE23 8FR
///baked.rise.tester | 52.912826, -1.473467
Turkish hazel notes
Turkish hazels are single stemmed uniformly conical trees, a feature that has ensured they are favoured for street tree planting. In the early spring, long yellow catkins are produced, a striking sight on a suburban street, and perhaps another reason for their popularity with urban foresters. While it would be difficult to confuse a large Turkish hazel tree with a common European hazel bush, there are similarities: the two species’ leaves are similar – Corylus colurna’s are larger and more deeply toothed perhaps, and the catkins emerge at the same time.
It is their developing fruit where a significant difference is apparent. Starting in July, Turkish hazels start dropping their unripe fruit on pavements. These are large fleshy green clusters with odd Sputnik-like protuberances. Many people seem to notice them for a month or so, but by September, the green flesh has dried and their identity as coarse, hairy cupules becomes clearer. Protected within are the hard shells of hazel nuts. Although smaller than European hazels, they are, by some accounts, equally tasty.
Great Parks of London
The publication of the Great Parks of London Map is imminent. It’s a project I have been researching for a while and, with Blue Crow Media, worked up into a printed map earlier this year. Read more about it here, and order a signed copy too!
Somehow I knew just from the title that this was Derby's Turkish Hazel.... A truly remarkable tree in many ways. I remember seeing it for the first time as a freshly fledged Arb almost 30 years ago, and being utterly astonished this was the same species as the familiar street tree specimens - such character and one of the jewels in Derby Arboretum. I must visit again soon!