Cicely Mary Barker's Hazelnut Flower Fairy

Slowly, slowly, growing
While I watched them well,
See, my nuts have ripened;
Now I've news to tell.
I will tell the Squirrel,
"Here's a store for you;
But, kind Sir, remember
The Nuthatch likes them too."

I will tell the Nuthatch,
"Now, Sir, you may come;
Choose your nuts and crack them,
But leave the children some."
I will tell the children,
"You may take your share;
Come and fill your pockets,
But leave a few to spare."

There are more than 10 different varieties of trees and large shrubs in the corylus family.  Well known for their edible nuts, the plant produces both male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flower is a slender catkin that appears before the leaves grow large - the female flowers are inconspicuous and later develop into nuts that ripen in summer. Hazel trees and bushes grow best in fertile, well-drained, chalky soil in full sun or part shade.  For best "fruiting" they require about 1000 hours below 45 degrees.  Cool damp summers also assist nut production.