Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ Corkscrew Hazel, Contorted Filbert, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick Brenna Castro | ENH101| Fall 2010 | Favorite Tree Project General Description Family: Betulaceae Habit: Small multi- trunked tree, large shrub Mature height: 15 feet Hardiness: Zones 4-8 Uses Good specimen plant Twisted branches provide year-round interest Twigs and small branches used in floral arrangements Can be trained into bonsai (with difficulty) Leaves Arrangement: Alternate Shape: Cordate Margin: Serrate Abcission: Deciduous in Autumn Appearance: Folded or crumpled Flowers Type: Catkin Sex: Monoecious Color: Yellow Size: Male catkins ¾ in. to 1 in. Size: Female catkins 2-4 in. Season: Late winter to early spring Fruit Type: Nut (hazelnut) Shape: Spherical to elliptic Color: Dark brown to purple Edible: Yes Season: Fall Note: Commercially available trees are sterile Bark and Branches Bark color: Light brown Bark texture: Smooth to slightly crevassed Branch shape: Twisted, curled Requirements Sun: Full sun to part shade Soil: Some sand to some clay, alkaline Water: Average Tolerant of air pollution Care: prune out suckers in autumn to maintain tree shape Pests and Diseases Powdery mildew: powdery white or grey fungus on top of leaf surface. Do not keep leaves moist, clean up debris. Caterpillars: leafrollers and tent caterpillars - herbivory. Use pesticides or natural predators. Blight: blossoms, leaves, and buds discolor, wilt, and die. Avoid wet conditions to discourage spores. Favorite Twisted branches look great all year Catkins and crumpled leaves are pendulous and dramatic Good specimen tree - small height and multi- trunks Sources http://www.finegardening.com/plantguide/corylus-avellana- contorta-harry-lauders-walking-stick.aspx http://www.robsplants.com/plants/CorylAvell.php http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/937/ http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pd_2fc6.html Dreistadt, Steve H. and Jack Kelley Clark. Pests of landscape trees and shrubs: an integrated pest management guide. Oakland CA, 2004: ANR Publications. Pages 399-400. .