The Turkish hazel stands beside the South Walk, and is dripping with attractive catkins.
One of 15 species, the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna) is a conical tree reaching 20 m in height. It has oval, toothed leaves, each with a pointed apex, and male catkins, which are 7.5 cm in length. Fruits are produced in autumn, and sit in a distinctive fringed husk. Flourishing in hot summers and cold winters, C. colurna is a native of south eastern Europe and south west Asia, and was introduced into cultivation in England in the mid-sixteenth century.