Sometimes called Turkish hazel, this deciduous tree is native to areas of Europe and Asia but does well in our area. It adapts to temperature extremes and storms. It has a pyramidal shape when young, very similar to a littleleaf linden, but is oval to almost round at maturity at 40 – 50 feet tall. It naturally has a short trunk with branches reaching nearly to the ground.

Leaves are broadly heart-shaped, alternate and softly hairy, with irregular teeth. The fall fruit is a small edible nut in a thick spiky husk. The bark is grayish and corky, becoming flaky with age which usually exposes attractive inner bark of orange and brown.

Turkish filbert