Family:

Birch Family

Habitat:

Understory tree in coniferous forests, in clearcuts, and along streams. Hazels are found from southern British Columbia southward to central California. They are found primarily west of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada crests.

Characteristics:

1. A large shrub or small tree that grows to 30 feet tall. The trunk may be as much as 12" in diameter.

2. Leaves are alternate on the stems. They are 2-4" long, and 1-1/2-3" wide. They are broadly ovate to almost round in shape dark green above, and paler below. The leaf surface is somewhat soft-fuzzy in texture. The leaf edges are sharply and doubly toothed. The tip of the leaf may be broadly pointed to almost round.

3.

Uses:

1. The nuts are edible to both humans and forest animals.

2.

Paul Slichter