Good for shelter in acidic uplands. Prefers grassy to heathery sites. Needs high rainfall. Prefers western counties. Foliage aphids taken by limited range of birds.
Cones attract crossbills.
Light softwood for pulp or chipboard. Wide range of soil tolerance, Good for shelterbelts. Poor wildlife value. Good quality softwood for building, timber and pulp. The common hazel is known for its long yellow catkins in spring and its crop of nuts in the autumn.