Corylus Contorta (Hazel) - leaf curl

Why are the leaves on my Corylus Contorta curling up?

The tree was planted recently, about 8 weeks ago, the soil is predominantly clay but there is some better quality top soil in the vicinity of the plant and the hole was filled with a mixture of soil and well rotted manure. The plant has been watered fairly regularly and yesterday I removed a sucker and gave it another good watering but there is, so far, no sign of the leaves straightening up.

I would be grateful for any advice.

 

Evening Barnowl, and welcome to the site. The plant has only been in 8 weeks, give it a chance to establish itself a bit. Have patience, it will be fine.:thumb::D

 

I planted one last year. Its doing the leaf-curl trick too. But otherwise it looks healthy enough. Dunno if that is normal though.

 

There is nothing wrong with your corylus. It's normal in case of this plant. I dug up the hole about 6 feet wide and 3 deep filled with very good quality garden soil and have curled leaves too. It doesn't depend on quality of soil and level of moisture. I personally very like this. I think twisted leaves make great addition to twisted stems and it fits very well together .

 

I have seen recently a very interesting cultivar of corylus - Red Majestic. It has
the same look as contorta(twisted stems and leaves) except for its leaves colour
that is dark red nearly black on new growth

 

Hi Barnowl,

Do you have any pics? The leaves of most contorted plants are kind of curly or ruffled so I'm sure you're little hazel is fine.

 

I think you will find that the curly leaves are normal for the contorted hazel.It doesnt look particularly good but it can be a talking point!
Mine is exactly the same.

 

Many thanks for all the replies - you have set my mind at rest!

Regards