A native of southeastern Europe and western Asia, Corylus colurna occurs at altitudes up to 1500m above sea level, on limestone in mountain forests and in canyons and on plateaux. This species has been grown in gardens of the United Kingdom since the 1500’s and in cultivation it copes well with low temperatures and drought, and grows to develop a conical shape. It has shallowly lobed leaves and produces attractive catkins in late winter, though the fruits are perhaps the most attractive feature of the Turkish hazel, being borne in clusters of two or more, and whose husk is covered in distinctive jagged lobes.