Clinging Hazel

This short fruit tree grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall and lives for up to 15 years, with the oldest known specimen being around 22 years old. It is very resistant to disease but is susceptible to destructive insect infestation.

It has a wide, straight trunk covered in fine, wrinkled, light gray bark, and inside, the very light wood is yellow-brown.

The tangled mess of branches trail down to the ground and are covered with very large amounts of miniature, finger-like leaves with jagged edges. The leaves themselves are solid gentle blue or silver, with light grey splotches.

In early spring, it produces bunches of medium-sized, hazel blossoms with long, narrow petals with a trumpet-shaped floral cup. They are sturdy and have a mildly strong scent that smells like baby powder.

In mid-autumn it produces tiny, stiff, pointed fruit. The soft red skin is peel-able and inedible, and the very soft olive flesh is sweet and very dry. The silver seed is very large and sits at the end of the fruit.

The roots are shallow and widely spread, and overall the tree is rigid and brittle.

Forests of this species feature the trees packed together densely, with patches of undergrowth between them.