DELIVERED SEPTEMBER 2026 Gunslebert Hazelnut Tree Corylus Gunslebert

Gunslebert Hazelnut Tree

Gunslebert is a moderately vigorous, very heavy, reliable-cropping ^[1] old German hazelnut tree grown for medium-large edible nuts with good texture and a strong nutty flavour. It produces good crops from an early age that store well into the winter and can be used in sweet and savoury cooking. The RHS has also given Gunslebert the Award of Garden Merit. ^[2] so obviously a star performer compared to other hazelnuts.

It is sold as a hazel, hazelnut tree or filbert tree and the RHS lists it as Corylus maxima ‘Gunslebert’. The variety is also known as Gunslebener Zellernuss. ^{[2] [3]}

Gunslebert produces clusters of six or more elongated nuts with heavier-shelled fruits than some of the other tested varieties. ^{[2] [4]} The nuts are picked in late September and are useful for eating and cooking. ^[1]

Gunslebert also has strong ornamental value, with an exceptional catkin display in winter. RHS describes yellow-brown catkins in late winter or early spring, before the nuts develop later in the year. ^{[1] [2]}

Gunslebert is not self-fertile, so it needs a compatible hazel nearby for reliable nut production. Confirmed good pollination partners include Butler Hazelnut Tree and Filbert Cosford. Others that might help are Ennis and Corabel ^[11].

The RHS describes Gunslebert as a good pollinator for other hazelnut trees, and Frank P Matthews lists it as a pollination partner for Filbert Cosford. ^{[1] [5]}

This matters because hazels are wind-pollinated and rely on compatible pollen from another variety. For good pollination, plant compatible hazel trees within about 15m of each other where possible. ^[6] Wild/common hazel trees may help with pollination as the pollen is spread by wind over a long time, and they are commonly planted in the countryside as a food source and windbreaks.

RHS gives Gunslebert an ultimate height and spread of around 4–8m. ^[2]

A Bavarian hazelnut trial found Gunslebert was among the stronger-yielding varieties tested. The best variety, Lange Zeller, produced about 9.5kg per tree across the recorded harvest years, while Gunslebert was in the next group at about 7kg per tree alongside Katalonski, Riccia di Talanico, Butler and Falsche Cosford / San Giovanni. ^[7]

The same Bavarian trial found Gunslebert was tougher than many other varieties in difficult conditions. During the trial, some hazels suffered from frost after early flowering, cold snowy periods below -5°C, and hot dry summer weather. Gunslebert still ranked in the stronger-yielding group and the report specifically recommended it for frost-prone and higher-altitude sites. ^[7]

A 12-year German spindle-system trial also found Gunslebener Zellernuss had very low root-sucker formation which means less nuisance growth to remove. ^[8]

A German nutrition study comparing 15 hazelnut cultivars found Gunslebener Zellernuss / Gunslebert performed strongly for mineral content, ranking highest for manganese and iron, second for zinc and third for magnesium. It also ranked in the top half for protein, dietary fibre and vitamin E. The 15 cultivars tested were Tonda di Giffoni, Juningia, Ennis, Cosford, Red Lambert, Englische Riesen, Webb’s Prize Cob, Gustav’s Zellernuss, Pauetet, Corabel, Hall’s Giant, Merveille de Bollweiler, Gunslebener Zellernuss, Emoa-1 and Barcelloner Zellernuss. ^[9] No wonder it got the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Planting a Gunslebert Hazelnut Tree

Plant Gunslebert in sun or light shade. For the best nut production, choose fertile, well-drained soil and avoid a cold, exposed or very wet position where possible. ^{[2] [6]}

Before planting, water the pot well. Dig a generous planting hole, loosen the surrounding soil, and plant the tree at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the tree watered during dry spells while it establishes, especially in the first growing season.

Hardy down to minus 20 degrees centigrade.

Other Interesting Information About Gunslebert Hazelnut Trees

Gunslebert is an old German hazel variety, and its alternative names include Gunslebener Zellernuss, Gunslebener Riesennuss and Gunslebert Zellernuss. ^[3]

Frank P Matthews describes Gunslebert as easy to grow and excellent for beginners. ^[1]

Research and trial data make Gunslebert more interesting than a normal one-line hazelnut listing. It has been tested for cropping, suckering, nut shape, shell weight and nutritional composition, giving useful comparison points beyond basic catalogue claims. ^{[4] [7] [8] [9]}

Gunslebert is an old German hazelnut variety, and heritage sources describe it as one of the older hazelnuts known from Germany. It is also listed under alternative names including Gunslebener Zellernuss, Gunslebener Riesennuss and Gunslebert Zellernuss, which helps explain why the same variety can appear under slightly different names in older or European sources. ^{[3] [10]}

Gunslebert is probably an anglicised/shortened form of Gunslebener Zellernuss, meaning a Zeller-type hazelnut associated with Gunsleben in Germany.

See What Previous Customers Are Saying About Our Gunslebert Hazelnut Trees

I had meant to contact you to say how very pleased we were with the condition of the two Hazel Trees we recently purchased. They are very healthy looking and the couriers pulled out all the stops to get them delivered before the leaves fell off! We also thought the packaging was excellent. A knowledge of origami would have been handy for the unpacking but I struggled and finally released the contents. We have two or three red squirrels that visit our garden as we are very rural, living just outside of Beauly, 15 miles from Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, and I actually saw them rubbing their hands as the trees were delivered! We don't really expect to collect any nuts but the catkins should look nice! I will send a separate email for a testimonial to the state of the trees and packaging. Afraid there will be no photographs as I find emailing a challenge at my age never mind taking pictures and uploading to Twitter or whatever. Kind regards John Whitaker 1015

Alan, Just to say that the trees (Gunslebert) arrived this afternoon and we are very pleased indeed both with the quality of the packaging and also the quality of the trees themselves. So, many thanks - and all good wishes. A good service ! Deian Hopkin 0414

Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.

Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
Most of the time, the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.

Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. Corners of houses and fences can also suffer leeching issues so we advise against it.