[juliec]

I have been offered a 3-4 year old hazel nut tree, free for the taking, however I have no experience of growing nuts only eating an (living with a few), so although the idea of a free nut tree is appealing, my concerns are.

How long would it take to produce edible/cooking nuts
how tall would I have to let it grow to do this ( At present I an working in a large garden with several raised veggie fruit beds and I would have to make space for this tree
Is it worth my while in my life time? LOL

Any one who is nuts (sorry who has nut experience) your advice is most welcome.

Many thanks and roll on spring going forward!

Julie

[Madame Cholet]

My hazel hedge produced the first summer they are better with 2 for cross pollenation though. you can coppice to keep small or cut out 1/3 a year a very easy crop unless you have squirells. I've planted a new hedge this year round part of the lotty too and 2 named free standing trees in the orchard part of the lotty great considering the price of nuts.

[moose]

Well, the nuts are great but they attract squirrels who bury them everywhere and if you don't pick them all up they will happily germinate and grow. My neighbour has a row of trees which are never pruned and overhang my fence. I think it was 91 young hazels I pulled up this year, last year it was 78 and I've just spotted a squirrel digging around my raspberries- I'm off.

[yaxley]

Have hazel growing along one side and at the rear of my allotment sadly no squirrels to take them away so even more self sows that blow down and sprout ... Though i do enjoy a pocket full to eat while doing things at the lottie ...

[Madame Cholet]

Have hazel growing along one side and at the rear of my allotment sadly no squirrels to take them away so even more self sows that blow down and sprout ... Though i do enjoy a pocket full to eat while doing things at the lottie ...

wish I had known I wouldn't have bought any