Mystery Shrub #1

Apologies in advance for the poor pictures:-

This shrub came back to life last year (definately no signs of life the year before!):

It had green leaves and this year, has catkins and lots of leaf buds.

It is at the front of a long border which, as you can see, is next to the public pavement.

It's already fairly tall (over 5 feet).

I'm hoping that identification will mean I will know if I need to re-site it etc.

Thank you

 

Hazel

 

Yes, there should be tiny red flowers somewhere near the catkins.

 

Checked for red flowers; none visible. Maybe they haven't come out yet?

Checked my contorted hazel in the rear garden and yes, that one does have them.

 

Corylus avellana .Common Hazel.
Male flowers are the catkins.
Female flowers are red and miniscule.
They will be there but you need to look very carefully.
See pic....

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=corylus avellana female flower&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=q8BIUbqECYjCPLjXgbAH&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1215&bih=550

 

Thank you, Silver surfer.

Yup, those are the teeny red flowers I have on my contorted hazel. I think it may be a case that the one I'm ID'ing is at a different location and perhaps the red flowers just haven't "bloomed" quite yet. I did notice a pair of "buds" just behind the catkins, so I think they may be the allusive flowers.

If that is the case, I think that shrub is definately in the wrong place! Hmm, now to find out when to dig it out and give it a more suitable home.

Thanks guys!

 

I can see the red flowers in your top pic!
It will be very hard to dig out... but you could coppice it.
Cut it right down to a stump. It will regrow!

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=...oppiceapprentice.org.uk%2Fcoppice.php;576;768

 

Brilliant! Many thanks, Ss Today, a-coppicing I go