Contorted Filbert Tree Care

The contorted filbert tree (Corylus avellana) is a very rare and unique shrub that is also known as 'Harry Lauder's Walking Stick'. This deciduous shrub is unique due to the way it reaches out to form twisted branches and foliage. It has a thick trunk and pale yellow flowers that branch out in clusters. It looks strikingly different from any other flowering plant and is one of those plants that can adorn a garden and completely transform its landscape for a better flower garden. However in order to plant this shrub, one requires to understand what is involved in the contorted filbert tree care. One cannot simply get into it without any preparation. The following article will tell you all about how to grow contorted filbert trees and how to care for them.

Steps to Follow in Planting

There are certain steps that need to be followed in order to administer care for the contorted filbert tree. They are as follows.

Physical Aspects
The shrub is a type of deciduous plant that grows to a height of 0-15 feet and 15 feet in length as well. As said earlier, the very name 'contorted' tells us about the way the plant is. It has contorted branches and flowers that twist into a thick foliage and mass. The flowers are pale yellow to brownish in color and are called 'catkins'. The plant is also called corkscrew filbert and contorted hazelnut. The plant grows from early to late spring. Sometimes there are sticks that are placed near the tree so that it acts as a support for the twisted branches.

Temperature and Growth Conditions
It is very important how you plant this plant. Plant this shrub in conditions of soil that are well drained and have a mix of sun and shade. It should get a good 3-6 hours of direct sunlight (which is usually found on the southern and western sides of buildings) depending on the how much your plant needs. Some plants don't bloom well if they are not given all those hours of sun, while others will require only 3 hours and it'll be enough for them.

Planting
There are some steps in planting the contorted filbert. They are as follows:

1. Start off by digging a hole in the ground that is 3-4 diameters wider than the root of the tree.
2. If you're transferring the tree from a pot, make sure that you do this carefully and do not harm the root in any way.
3. Make sure that the best side of the root faces forward.
4. Now fill the hole up well and do not add too much foreign soil to it. It isn't good for the plant.
5. Now set about to create a water ring around the outer portion of the hole.
6. Do this by forming a mound around the outer portion of the plant that is about a foot in height. This encourages new shoots to grow outward.
7. Mulching the ring is important so that the water and moisture can be conserved.

Fertilizing
Fertilizing a contorted filbert tree is essential. This can be done once every few years. Before fertilizing, test the soil to make a check on the nutrients present. This will help you find whether one or more nutrients are absent. If there are hardly a few nutrients absent then choose a specific fertilizer instead of an all purpose fertilizer. This will help in taking the right care of the trees. Do not fertilize late into the growing season as this will adversely affect their growth.

Pruning
Along with all these steps, pruning is also an essential component of caring for the tree. This is how it's done - before spring when the branches begin to grow, there needs to be a portion of pruning done. The bottom-most twigs are clipped two feet above the ground so that they don't go and spread onto the ground or begin to grow in the upward direction again.

Other Factors
Make sure that the plant is not affected by any diseases by cleaning up all the debris, watering it well - but only during the day, and planting varieties that are disease resistant. Also make sure that there is enough space between the plants. Apply special fungicides that are meant to deal with problems like insect infestations, rust, and blight.

The contorted filbert tree does not require any extra care and whatever little it needs is not a lot. For the kind of variety that this tree brings into your garden, the minimal effort is completely worth the time and energy.