Corylus colurna

Southeast Europe, and western Asia

Broad pyramidal shape plant, short trunk.

Prefer full sun, well drained loamy soil.

Corylus colurna is a difficult plant to find in the trade but worth the hunt. It makes a stately specimen tree with uniquely textured leaves, fruit and bark. It's tolerant of most adverse conditions, in fact it thrives in hot summers and cold winters. C. colurna is quite popular as a street tree in parts of Europe. Possible for lawn or street trees.

Dark green in summer. Yellow or purlpe in fall, but seldom dramatic. Alternate, simple 2.5 to 6 inches long. Broadly ovate ro obovate, doubly serrate or crenate serrate margin, acuminate apex and cordate base.

Large bud, .33 inches long with soft pubescent. Green tinged brown.

Pale brown to gray brown.

Monoecious. Male in catkins, 2 to 3 inches long; Female inconspicuous.

Nut, .5 to .625 inches in diameter, involucre about 1.5 to 2 inches long, nuts closely grouped 3 or more together, covered with a fine pubescence mixed with gland-tipped bristles.

Most Corylus require 2 to 6 months cold stratification, alternating with warm periods occassionally. This species is fairly difficult to propagate by most methods but sofwood cuttings could be attempted. Take cuttings in the summer (June, July, or August) and treat wih a very high level of IBA (at least 10,000 ppm)