Corylus jacquemontii aka Indian Tree Hazel

Corylus jacquemontii, or Indian tree hazel, belongs to the birch family, Betulaceae. Kew places its native range from the western Himalaya to western Nepal. Plants For A Future also lists Afghanistan and northern India. It grows in forests and shrubby places in a temperate climate. Its wild habitat reaches about 9,840 feet [3,000 metres] above sea level. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This deciduous tree can reach 82 feet [25 metres] tall. It grows upright and does not send up suckers. It is closely related to Corylus colurna. Some botanists have treated it as a subspecies of that tree. Its tree form suits the canopy of a woodland garden. It can also grow along a shaded woodland edge. Plants For A Future lists both dappled shade and woodland canopy settings.

Flowers appear from April to May. Each tree bears both male and female flowers, in separate flowers. Wind carries the pollen, and the species is self-fertile. Seeds ripen from September to October. Growers in Asia raise this tree for its edible seeds. Plants For A Future reports that it often fruits at Kew. The seeds contain much oil and can supply edible oil. People can eat them raw or cooked. Unshelled seeds can keep for at least a year when stored somewhere cool. Squirrels may take the crop, so seeds may need protection.

This hazel is easy to grow in many soils. Loam suits it well, and moderate soil fertility helps seed crops. Rich, heavy soils and poor soils give poorer results. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils, provided other conditions suit it. It tolerates mildly acid soil but dislikes very acid ground. Neutral and alkaline soils suit it, including very alkaline ground. Choose sun or light shade and moist soil. It withstands strong winds but not exposed coastal conditions. Plants For A Future gives USDA zones 6–9.

Fresh seed can be sown in a cold frame in autumn. It then sprouts in late winter or spring. Stored seed needs warm treatment followed by a cold period. Autumn layering offers another way to raise plants. Plants For A Future records no known hazards or medicinal uses. It also lists no weed potential.