Monty Don praised a hardy tree that's survived in his garden for decades – even through harsh winter weather conditions.

The Gardeners' World presenter, 69, posted a picture of the tree in question. And on Instagram, he detailed how it has been growing alongside him since 1991.

Monty wrote: "The Hazel in the Spring garden from above. This was the only tree in the garden when we came here in 1991. Over the years I have pruned and shaped it so it has a framework of mature ( but not old) growth that provides the dappled shade the spring planting loves."

The post garnered more than 15,000 likes – and many took the time to leave positive comments. One said: "Like having an old friend living in your garden. So lovely."

Another said: "Such elegant and strong trees. I have a few at the back of my garden which have grown very tall indeed. They are beautiful. They don’t really cut out much light, and sound wonderful when the wind blows." And a third added: "That must be such a special tree for you."

Hazel is a native British tree, which makes it well-suited for growing here. They are generally robust and pretty low maintenance – so if you want to find a hardy tree to plant here in the UK, it could be a good one to pick! Here's how to do it...

How to plant a hazel tree:

1. Choose the Right Location:

• Sunlight: Hazel trees thrive in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: They prefer well-drained, fertile soil but can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay and sandy soil.
• Spacing: If planting multiple trees, space them about 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) apart for optimal growth.

2. Select the Plant Type:

• You can grow hazel trees from seed, saplings, or bare-root plants.
• For quicker results, purchase bare-root plants or young saplings, typically aged 1–2 years.
• If growing from seed (nuts), be patient as germination and growth take longer and require more care.

3. Prepare the Area:

• Clear the planting area of weeds and grass to reduce competition.
• Dig a hole that is twice as wide and the same depth as the tree’s root ball or bare-root system.

4. Planting the Tree:

Loosen the root ball if planting from a pot.

• Place the hazel tree in the hole so the root collar (where the roots meet the trunk) is at ground level.
• Fill the hole with a mixture of soil and organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure.
• Firm the soil gently around the tree but avoid compacting it too much.

5. Watering:

• Water the tree thoroughly after planting.
• Keep it well-watered during the first year, especially in dry periods, to encourage root establishment.

6. Mulching:

• Apply a layer of organic mulch (e.g., wood chips or straw) around the base of the tree to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

How long do hazel trees take to grow?

Hazel trees grow relatively quickly and can live for many years.

• Year 1-3: During the first few years, the tree focuses on establishing its root system. Growth above-ground may be slower during this time.
• Year 4-6: You'll start to notice substantial growth, with the tree reaching a height of 4-6 meters (13-20 feet) after about 6 years, depending on conditions.
• Year 6-8+: Hazel trees typically begin producing nuts after about 3-5 years but may take longer if grown from seed. Full nut production typically happens after 6-8 years.
• Mature Tree: A mature hazel tree can reach heights of around 12 meters (40 feet) and live for 50-60 years.

Just be sure to maintain them – as this will help them to thrive in the long-term. Prune during the dormant season (late winter) to shape the tree and remove dead or damaged branches. Hazels also respond well to coppicing (cutting back to the base), which can encourage bushy growth.

Watch out for hazelnut weevils or squirrels that may eat the nuts. Nuts typically ripen in late summer to early autumn, and you'll need to gather them before wildlife does!