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Pruning guide · Broadleaf tree
Turkish hazel: when and how to prune
Corylus colurna
Turkish hazel is best pruned in November–March.
| Pruning months | November–March |
|---|---|
| Nesting season (15 March–15 August) | Take care in March |
| Flowering | February–March |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Turkish hazel: when to prune it?
Dead, diseased and broken branches can be removed at any time of year. If pruning is needed, do it during winter dormancy (November–March).
Prune while dormant, from November to March, but not in freezing weather.
What else to prune in those months? January · February · March · November · December
Turkish hazel: how to prune it?
- Little pruning needed; the conical crown forms by itself.
- Crown-lift a street tree gradually: remove a few of the lowest branches each year, never too many at once.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: November–March.
- Grows best when left alone. Only remove dead, diseased or awkward branches.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
- Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.
Common mistakes
- Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
- Pruning too much: it grows best when left alone.
- Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.
Caution: Leave the leader of a young tree alone: if you cut it off, several leaders form and the tree loses its regular conical shape.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Similar to: Difference from hornbeam · Difference from hazel
Plant profile: Turkish hazel · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.