Corylus Avellana Webbs Prize Cobb

Corylus Webb's Prize Cobb or Cobnut Tree Webb's Prize
Cobnut Tree Webb's Prize is new cultivated variety of common hazel, best known for its compact size and weeping habit. This cultivar is often grown for its abundant nut crops and attractive looks.

As with other members of the Hazel family (Corylus Avellana), Webb's Prize Cobb is partially self-fertile. In the spring, the tree produces showy catkins (male) that pollinate the inconspicuous flowers (female). The shiny, green leaves turn to beautiful shade of golden yellow in the autumn. The attractive autumn colour of the foliage is complemented by masses of red berries that stay on the tree through winter months. The nuts on established trees ripen around September, and are similar in taste and shape to those produced by Corylus maxima (Filibert) but with heavier production.

Easy to grow and care for, Corylus Webb's Prize Cobb tolerates any soil, as long as it is light and well drained. Plant this tree in a sheltered location, in full sun or dappled shade. Tough and robust, this cultivar tolerates both cold and wet conditions. Although fully hardy in the United Kingdom, Cobnut Tree Webb's Prize will appreciate protection from frosts and strong winds. The cold will not damage or destroy the tree, but it might disrupt the pollination, resulting in poor crops.

If you plan on growing Corylus Avellana Webb's Prize Cobb for its nuts, to ensure a maximum production of nuts, it is best to plant at least 2 hazel trees (of any variety) as they are wind pollinated. Space them about 4 meters apart. Not unlike all hazelnut varieties, this cultivar needs to be at least 4 years old to start producing nuts.

A suitable tree for small gardens, Corylus Webb's Prize Cobb grows to be circa 3 meters high over a period of 10 years. Unless it is planted in an overly rich and fertile soil, this cultivar is not considered invasive. Often planted as a part of “nutteries”, this variety of hazel can be used for decorative purposes as well. Plant it in a mixed shrub border, where its dense foliage can serve as a textured backdrop to striking flowering plants. When grown as part of a hedgerow, this bushy tree provides shelter and food for wildlife.

You might be interested in our selection of Corylus Avellana varieties, including Corylus Maxima Purpurea and Corylus Avellana Contorta.