What is Hazel?
Hazel is a shrub or small tree in the birch family cultivated for its shelled nuts.
Structure and life cycle
Flowers and fruit: Male flowers form long catkins, while female flowers are small buds. Wind pollination may occur before leaf emergence. The nut develops within a leafy husk. Cultivar compatibility and flowering schedules are important for production.
Growth, uses and cautions
Growth and ecology: Hazel grows in temperate regions; pruning multi-stemmed plants affects light access and harvest. Squirrels and birds eat and disperse the nuts. They are eaten fresh or processed; the edible seed is inside a hard shell rather than fleshy fruit.
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