Corylus colurna / Nocciolo di Bisanzio

Origin: Southeast Europe.

Botanical characteristics: It is a medium-sized tree up to 20 mt high with a conical habit. It has a thick crown and rough grey bark. Leaves are amply oval up to 12 cm. they are similar to the ones of the common core, sark green and then yellow in autumn. It blooms in late winter. Male yellow flowers are grouped in pendulous catkins. It produces edible nuts in autumn.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It prefers rich and fresh soils, but it adapts also to dry soils. It has a high resistance to air pollution.

Use: In Italy it is little known and little used. It can be used in gardens and parks, as a single plant, in parking lots, along boulevards, roads and embankments, for reforestation of nearly-urban areas, of uncultivated areas, even in hilly areas.