Twisted Hazel advice

[busy_lizzie]

My next door neighbour has got this lovely twisted hazel bush in his front garden which I have often admired, and yesterday he knocked on my door with a piece of it for me which is not rooted.  I know it is probably the wrong time of year but could I put some rooting powder on the end and stick it in a pot of compost anyway to see if it will grow, or any advice would be appreciated.  :D   busy_lizzie

[busy_lizzie]

[supersprout]

I so miss the twisted hazel bush I left behind in Stevenage :'(, they are so lovely!

It may be the wrong time of year, but give it a go anyway ;) Fresh hazel rods I have used as beanpoles try to grow when they are stuck in the ground. You'll lose nowt by trying, and I hope you get a lovely bush :)

Useful instructions at http://handbooks.btcv.org.uk/handbooks/content/section/3575

[Ceratonia]

Don't know the answer, but 'normal' hazel trees root very easily from cuttings, in my experience - if I use freshly cut hazel prunings for pea sticks, they often root.

My twisted hazel (Corylus avellena Contorta) has suckers of long, straight growth, which have to be pruned out each year. I assumed (possibly wrongly) that the twisted part is grafted on to a 'normal' hazel tree and this is done because the virus which makes the stems twisted would also affect the roots and so possibly produce a plant which was not very vigorous. I have seen them advertised for sale 'on their own roots' though which suggests it is possible to grow them from cuttings.

Guess you have nothing to lose in just trying it!

[busy_lizzie]

I love it too and would be thrilled if it works, so thanks to you both for the advice.   :) busy_lizzie

[Ceratonia]

A smaller crop than the 'untwisted' hazel trees, but definitely an edible rather than non-edible plant, too :D

[rosebud]

Hi Busy Lizzie,i have the twisted hazel and gave a few pieces to my friend and she has all 4 of them in a pot about 12" size, covered with a piece of polythene so i think it is worth a try , just a John Innes compst 2 she cut a piece off the bottom about 1" before she stuck the sticks into the soil. Hope this helps a little. Rosebud.

[busy_lizzie]

Yes, Thanks Mary!  Well remember your twisted hazel bush - what a beauty!  :) busy_lizzie

[ACE]

I would have thought that grafting would be the better option. Grow a nut  next year and start from scratch.