Hazelnut in January: monthly care

Hazelnut requires minimal pruning but benefits from regular attention to maintain an open, productive framework. Prune in January or February while the plant is fully dormant and before the catkins begin to shed pollen. Avoid pruning in late winter or spring once sap is rising, as this can lead to excessive bleeding and weaken the plant. The aim is to create a goblet-shaped bush with 6–10 strong main stems arising from the base. In the first few years after planting, remove any weak, crossing, or inward-growing shoots to establish a clear structure. Once the plant matures, focus on thinning out older wood: hazelnut produces the best nuts on younger stems, so every few years cut one or two of the oldest, thickest stems right down to ground level to encourage vigorous new growth from the base. This renewal pruning keeps the shrub productive and prevents it becoming congested. Remove any suckers that appear away from the main clump, as these can spread and turn your hazelnut into a thicket. Also take out any dead, damaged, or diseased wood whenever you spot it. Use sharp bypass secateurs for thinner stems and a pruning saw for anything thicker than your thumb. If your hazelnut has become overgrown or neglected, you can renovate it by cutting all stems down to 30–50 cm above ground level in late winter; it will regenerate vigorously, though you'll lose a couple of years' cropping.

Hazelnut is a low-maintenance shrub once established. Water regularly during the first growing season to help roots settle in, especially during dry spells. After that, hazelnuts have moderate water needs and generally cope well with typical rainfall in temperate Europe, though prolonged summer drought during nut development (July and August) can reduce crop size. Water deeply every two weeks in dry weather rather than little and often. Feed once a year in March with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser or a handful of blood, fish, and bone scattered around the base of the plant and lightly forked in. Alternatively, top up the mulch layer each spring with well-rotted compost or manure, which feeds the soil as it breaks down. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which promote leafy growth at the expense of nuts. Hazelnuts are fully hardy (zone 4a–8b) and need no winter protection. Mulching in autumn helps suppress weeds, conserve moisture, and improve soil structure over time. Keep the mulch a few centimetres away from the stems to avoid encouraging rot or rodent damage. Common pests include grey squirrels, which strip ripe nuts before you can harvest them; netting or early picking in late September is the only real defence. Nut weevil larvae occasionally hollow out developing nuts; collect and destroy any that drop prematurely. Powdery mildew can appear on leaves in dry summers but rarely causes serious harm. Good airflow from sensible pruning and spacing reduces fungal problems significantly.