Corylus avellana 'Contorta'
Common Name(s):
- Description
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Harry Lauder's walking stick 'Contorta' is a cultivar deciduous tree in the Betulaceae (beech) family. native to Asia, Europe and Africa. This unusual tree has a multi-trunk rounded habit whose branch becomes drooping with age. The contorted branches, crumpled-looking leaves and yellow spring catkins give this tree year-round appeal. The fruit is an edible nut enjoyed by wildlife.
'Contorta' prefers full sun to part shade in organically rich moist, well-drained soils. it is drought tolerant once established. Use this tree as a specimen in a prominent place so the year-round interest can be appreciated. It can also be grown in a container or used as a hedge.
Prune root suckers to prevent thicket formation. Otherwise only prune to remove diseased or damaged limbs.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally, problem-free but can experience powdery mildew or blight. Avoid wet conditions to help prevent this. Tent caterpillars are an insect pest.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Corylus
- Species:
- avellana
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Europe, Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and small mammals will eat the nut
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Nuts are edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a brown hazelnut 0.5-1 inch around
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 2-4 inch long hanging yellow catkins appear in sping before leaf-out
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Green crumpled-looking leaves are 2-4 inches long, orbicular in shape with serrate margins
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Brown smooth bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Light brown smooth contorted stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
