Hazel / Cobnut

All Identification Points

Round-oval nuts in ragged green involucre husk

Husks in clusters of 2–5 at branch tips

Round toothed alternate leaves with pointed tip

Male catkins (lamb’s tails) appear in late winter

Multi-stemmed coppiced habit typical in managed woodland

Harvest Notes

August–September when husks still green for fresh cobnuts. October for fully dried hazelnuts.

Uses

Raw as a snack, roasted, hazelnut butter, praline, baking, hazelnut oil.

Equipment Needed

Container.

Storage

Fresh cobnuts last 2 weeks refrigerated. Dry fully for several months storage.

Lookalikes

Relative Nutrition

Where to Find It

Leigh Woods and Goblin Combe have natural hazel coppice. Nuts are ready from August.