cob nuts

Yes, it's too early bichonmad leave it until end of August or early September. I have loads of nuts on mine last year but something or someone stole them ALL, so you might want to protect some.

Good luck.

PS that's a good idea for a gift.

its those pesky squirrels, thank for your help

Same happened with mine- the little one planted by a squirrel is doing fine and about 2ft tall. Keeping it though.

theres hope then granjura,i also have a twisted hazel if I did the same with that would they be twisted do you think

I have a twisted hazel in my front garden. The B squirrels beat me to the nuts every year.
The squirrels from the neighbours huge old oak tree plant the acorns and peanuts in my lawn and patio pots and they dig up the plants in the process.

The birds poop out the holly berries so they land right beside the botton of the fence and are more difficult to dig up.
and cats poo on me newly dug borders.

We have a lane at the side of our house that has several hazel bushes, and we pick the nuts in September. They're delicious. I have never seen squirrels in the gardens here, despite there being mature trees in the vicinity, but they are clearly present in the lane judging by the way shells scattered around are nibbled.