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Tips on planting hazel trees?
Chris Mason
Posts: 159
in Plants
5+ years ago the previous tenants of the house we're currently living in decided to plant a hazel tree, sadly, the tree now has to cut down, (we're going to try and turn it into a small bush if it regrows+I'm going to make the most of all the wood I get and make a larger log pile for bugs and things.) as its such a pity to see the tree go I've decided to dig up some of the saplings that are growing and plant them at the top of the garden where it will not be a annoyance to anybody when their fully gown.
I've done a million web searches and I've looked up information in a few gardening book I own, but I can't really find anything that is helpful... Can anybody give me some tips on planting tree saplings? Do I need todo anything special with them? Do I simple plant them with the excavated soil and keep watered until established? I know hazels are hardy but I feel awful for cutting a tree down, especially as I'm an avid wildlife gardener... As I love the trees so much and it would be a shame to throw the rest of the saplings away, I'd like to plant them in a large plant pot, I know they won't grow as well and they'll he more inclined to die but I'd still like to try it and see what happens. Thank you0
Posts
Hazel can be cut back (coppiced) every few years and provides good logs and sticks.
Cut itback in winter unless you've got an emergency
Dig up the saplings when the leaves drop and plant them where you want them, they'll be fine. Tough as old boots
If yoiu do them now the chances of survival are much less sure
In the sticks near Peterborough
I plant hazel saplings in pots until they are large enough to become part of the hedge. I plant them up whenever I find them and don't worry too much about the time of year.....just make sure they are well watered.
The squirrels plant them for me.I find them all over the garden.
I'm guessing you're having complaints from a neighbour or want to reduce shading now though? You could partly cut it back for now, but don't fully coppice it yet.
WillDB- exactly, we're cutting it down to six feet, so there will be some foliage left, there are some new shoots coming out some don't think it would be a problem for they tree.
Fidgetbones- I was planting a few raspberry plants a few weeks ago, I managed to find a small handful buried,they're supprisingly affecient at sowing seeds!
Ceres- may I ask what soil medium do you use for them? I was thinking of using excavated garden solid with a little compost.
Nutctlet- it's not really an 'emergency' but mid-day onwards, their in a deep shade...
I think I'm going to stick with my little 'plan' if everything falls through then I'll buy some online and I'll do it a little more formally. + if I could leave the saplings I would but they're right under the tree and it highly likely that they'd be trampled by who ever is cutting the tree.
Thanks
We have some young hazels - we'll be coppicing them when they're big enough http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningadvice/10473213/Coppicing-ancient-techniques-provide-a-cutting-edge.html
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.