About

Corylus avellana 'Cosford' produces sweet, thin-shelled nuts and serves as an effective pollinator. To achieve optimal cross-pollination and enhance nut yield, it is advisable to cultivate at least two different varieties.

About the genus

Corylus comprises deciduous trees and sizable shrubs featuring wide leaves. In early spring, they produce prominent male catkins, which are succeeded by edible nuts.

Growing conditions

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Plant type

Shrubs, Fruit Edible

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

2.5-4 metres

Spread

2.5-4 metres

Time to full height

5-10 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation

Grows well in chalky soil in sun or partial shade. For fruit production, grow as a goblet-shaped bush. Keep clear soil in a 60cm radius around trunk. See cobnut cultivation, cobnuts and filberts

Pruning

Brutting or breaking sideshoots half way along their length in August followed by shortening the brutted shoots to 3-4 buds when the catkins are shedding pollen in late winter. When necessary remove up to one third of old overcrowded shoots to the main branches

Propagation

Propagate by chip budding in mid- to late summer or grafting onto clonally produced rootstocks or seedlings in late winter

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to caterpillars, gall mites, aphids and sawflies. Squirrels like to feed on the nuts

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus, silver leaf and powdery mildews