Hazel (European Hazel / Cobnut)
Corylus avellana · Hardwood
- Type
- Hardwood
- Origin
- Native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa
- Hardness
- Approximately 1,000 lbf - 1,200 lbf (Medium Hardness)
- Durability
- Slightly Durable to Non-durable outdoors if unpreserved; susceptible to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture
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Grain Pattern
Straight grain; fine and uniform texture with minimal figure in small branches or coppiced stems
Color & Appearance
Bark shows smooth greyish-brown to reddish-brown tones with prominent horizontal lenticels and patches of greenish lichen or moss. Heartwood is light reddish-brown and sapwood is pale cream/yellowish.
Hardness (Janka)
Approximately 1,000 lbf - 1,200 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability & Decay Resistance
Slightly Durable to Non-durable outdoors if unpreserved; susceptible to rot and insect attack when exposed to moisture
Value & Sustainability
- Estimated Market Value
- Low commercial value per board foot as lumber; traded primarily as raw coppiced poles, stakes, or craft/firewood material ($1 - $5 per pole)
- Wood Age Estimate
- Branch/stem age estimate: 3 to 7 years old (harvested coppice pole size); overall sample harvested recently to within a few years based on bark integrity
- Sustainability Status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List); highly sustainable due to rapid regeneration from coppicing
Common Uses
Traditional coppicing products, walking sticks, hurdle making, rustic furniture, tool handles, firewood, charcoal, basketry, and woodturning
Geographic Origin
Native to Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa
Workability
Very easy to work with hand and power tools when green; highly flexible and easily bent or split; hardens significantly when dry
Finish Recommendations
If bark is retained, clear sealant, polyurethane, or shellac helps preserve adhesion; for debarked turned items, boiled linseed oil or Danish oil enhances natural light tones
Notable Features
Exhibits smooth, lenticel-marked bark typical of young Corylus growth; highly flexible branches when green; excellent coppicing capacity
