Rather than having bushy form, like most hazel species, Turkish Hazel grows as an elegant medium-sized tree. Introduced around 1582.

Native to south-east Europe, Turkey, Balkans, the Caucasus and Iran.

Monoecious. Wind-pollinated. Seeds dispersed by birds and mammals.

To 26m, usually straight-stemmed, with a broad spire crown. Bark fawn, with close scaly ridges. Branches level and light. Leaves like Hazel but shiny, with more obviously lobed margins. Fruit a small nut (1cm wide) with a thick shell, held in a cup whose bristles extend well beyond the nut.

Grows in a wide variety of soils. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant. High prune to improve timber quality.

No notable associations where introduced.

Generally healthy.

While the nuts are edible, they offer little reward. The timber however is pink-brown and valuable (although rarely available) for fine woodworking. Likely to thrive under climate change, especially on drought-prone sites. A very hardy street tree.