When we moved into our dream house three years ago, there were many plants and trees I did not know. We had a bunch of some mixture between tree and bush growing next to one of the neighbours and I couldn´t figure out what it was. Until I saw a squirrel! Yes, of course, it was hazelnut! Full of nuts every summer. And strange enough, empty of them in September. Where did they all go? Well, I blamed the squirrel. Thought he had collected them all in a secret place for winter use.

Anyway, this autumn by chance I found out the hazelnuts let go of the tree and fall down to earth when they are ripe. Just like apples or any other fruit. In the grass under the hazelnut tree I found a lot of them. And I silently asked the squirrel to forgive me for accusing him. In fact, there was enough nuts for both him/her and me.

They are so beautiful how they grow, often sitting several of them together – and when ripe opening up their protective green shield to let the lime green nut fall out. Then, on a dry place, they will quickly turn brown. I will certainly save some for Christmas, to treat my friends and relatives with gardengrown hazelnuts.