Hazel

Uses

Nuts are edible . Wood  is coppiced and used for making baskets, charcoal and traditionally used to make wattle and coracles.

Hazel catkins photo by Akin Cakiner on Unsplash

Myths and legends

Regarded as the tree of knowledge by Ancient Celts, the nuts were believed to be receptacles of wisdom. Many of the legends link the hazel tree to water and the highly revered salmon. The shoots and twigs have long been used for dowsing for water. Hazel rods were used by the druids  for poetical and magical inspiration.

Hazel leaves in autumn -photo by Pam C Golden

This site is brilliant for identifying and seeing trees in all their seasons.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/hazel/

« Back to blog page