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. Pests- tent caterpillars.
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
