Hazel

Hazel can be found throughout Europe, parts of north Africa, and western Asia. It's bendy stems make it a very useful tree, and it's nuts are enjoyed by people, squirrels and Hazel Dormice.

Its leaves are hairy, double toothed, and pointed at the tip. Hazel is "monoecious" which means that both male and female flowers are found on the same tree, and must be pollinated by pollen from other hazel trees.

Hazel leaves provide food for the caterpillars of moths, and hazel nuts are eaten by dormice to fatten up in preparation for hibernation, and in spring, they also feed on the caterpillars. Hazel nuts are also eaten by a variety of wild birds and small mammals. Hazel flowers provide early pollen as a food for bees, however, bees have difficulty in collecting the pollen, because the grains are not sticky and actually repel against each other, and therefore, the bees can only gather it in small quantities.

Hazel has long been considered a magical tree. A rod of hazel is reputed to protect against evil spirits, and it is frequently used as a wand, and for water divining. In certain areas of England, hazel nuts were carried as protective charms, or held to prevent rheumatism. In medieval times, the hazel was a symbol of fertility.