Walking Tree

(Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’)

Interesting Information About Plant: 

Its twisting bare branches make it a favorite for winter gardens. Our Contorta here at Bellarmine has both contorted branches and ‘normal’ branches, although the normal branches must actually be the mutation, and not the other way around.

Common Name: Walking Tree, European Filbert, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

Scientific Name:  Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’

Family Name: Corylaceae, Hazel Family

Continent of Origin: Europe, specifically a British plant: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Most Distinguishing Morphological Features of This Plant: The stems and branches are heavily contorted, twisting around through the air in a very unique manner.

Plant Growth Habit: Large Shrub or Small Tree

Height at Maturity: 5 to 10 feet

Life Span: Perennial Shrub

Seasonal Habit: Deciduous   

Growth Habitat: Full Sun

Manner of Culture: Landscape Shrub/Tree  

Thorns on Younger Stem?  No

Cross Section of Younger Stem: Roundish   

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter:  Between The Diameter of a Pencil and a Broom-Handle 

Produces Brownish Bark? Yes

Bark Peeling in Many Areas? No

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark: Patchy, although old stems get smoother

Type of Leaf: Deciduous, rounded,

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet): Between the Length of a Credit Card and a Writing-Pen

Leaf Complexity:  Simple

Shape of Leaf: Simple

Edge of Leaf: Serrated

Leaf Arrangement: Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole? No

Patterns of Main-Veins: Pinnate

Leaf Hairiness: Slight soft hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer: Green

Change in Color of Foliage in October: Changes to Yellow Green

Flowering Season: Spring 

Flowers: Tightly Clustered  

Type of Flower: Catkin

Color of Flower: Green 

Shape of Individual Flower: Radially Symmetrical

Size of Individual Flower: Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit

Sexuality: Male and Female on Same Plant

Size of Fruit:  Between a Quarter and the Length of a Credit Card 

Fruit Fleshiness at Maturity: Dry

Shape of Fruit: Nut set in involucre

Color of Fruit at Maturity: Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels? Yes   

Unique Morphological Features of Plant: Contorted Branches

Is the Plant Poisonous:   None of Plant

Pesty Plant?: No

Common Name(s):  Corkscrew Hazel, European Filbert, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One: This plant is very unique, most people will correctly identify immediately.

Page prepared by:

Corey Mudd

December, 2006