Corylus americana 'contorta' - Contorted Filbert

[Stonehenge]

AKA Harry Lauder's Walkingstick

I've got one in my yard, and it's been extremely interesting watching this plant grow - slowly in spring, with abandon in late fall, just before the freeze (and sometimes during it :doh: ).

I've noticed that all the new growth since I've planted it has been groundward, seeming to imply that it needs training. But I watched it being dug from the field, and there was no support structure there.

Is this something that needs permanent training so as not to end up as a groundcover, or is the growth direction a sign of something else?

Thanks!

[diginahole]

Corylus americana 'contorta' - Contorted Filbert is AKA Corkscrew hazel 'round here. I believe contorta is often grafted on regular rootstock... could be the rootstock sprouting?

[Stonehenge]

Nope. I do get some suckers, but this is the top growth. New growth always seems to want to go downward. Don't know if it's because it's soft, new growth, and just can't support itself when it grows 4-6", so it droops.

[diginahole]

Sorry then I don't think I can help other than to say that it isn't the normal habit of the plant. Contorta normally grows twisted without training as the name implies. I'll ask around, somebody has probably come across this before.

[Stonehenge]

It is twisted and contorted, just droopy, too.

[mdvaden]

The droopy growth occurs in Oregon too.

Those are exceptionally high maintenance trees to prune due to all the sprouts. Hope its worth it. I do like the catkins on them, but would prefer another plant for that.

For interest, I think I'd take a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar any day. That's because it looks good, and the Cedars have no buds that pop from under the bark.

Many deciduous trees like the Filbert / Hazel group, or others, push growth from buds under the bark, making for a fairly intensive project.