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HAZEL Corylus avellana
Hazel
is uncommon in the forest, although it occurs in copses, green lanes
and plantations in the surrounding areas. There are seven coppice
stools in Hainault Lodge and planting of hazel has taken place there
and in the plantation area of the Country Park. The Hazel is wind
pollinated and the male catkins appear in early January. The tiny
female flowers can be found on the same twigs. Hazel is coppiced on a
regular cycle in woodlands where it is used, and in Nature Reserves
where Dormice are resident. All branches are cut at an angle at ground
level to allow water to run off during the winter months. The stool
then buds in the spring and sends up new growth. Cutting back every 7
years - a short cycle allows the timber to be used for making woven
hazel fencing. The hazel stool can therefore be several hundred years
old. |
