What's eating my european hazel 'witchford'?

Hazel 'Witchford' shares the pest profile of all Corylus avellana cultivars: hazel nut weevil is the primary nut destroyer, big bud mite reduces catkin and yield potential, and aphids cause cosmetic shoot damage. Squirrels are a persistent competitor for the crop. Open, well-pruned coppice stools are naturally more pest-resilient.

Larvae hollow out developing kernels, producing prematurely falling nuts with a characteristic round exit hole in the shell. Collect and destroy fallen nuts from July onward; netting or kaolin barriers reduce adult weevil access on smaller plants.

Swollen, rounded buds visible in winter; buds fail to break, reducing leaf canopy and catkin production. Prune out and burn affected buds before they open; keep tools clean between plants; replace stools with >50% affected buds.

Soft-bodied aphids under leaves on young shoots; honeydew deposits lead to black sooty mould, weakening shoot growth. Encourage aphid predators; blast infestations with water; insecticidal soap as a last resort. Rarely causes lasting harm.