This is Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick, AKA Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’. It is a kind of hazelnut that doesn’t appear to produce a lot of nuts but does produce very twisty branches.

The origin story is that a bush was found growing as a sport in a hedgerow. (“Sports” are random mutations that breed true.) At the time it was found, Harry Lauder was a vaudeville comedian who used a crooked walking stick as part of his schtick. Hence the name.

Branches are popular in floral arangements and home decor. (My dad and I saw a ikebana show at the Asheville arboretum that seemed to have one in every arrangement. We decided one of the members had a bush and was sharing.)

I told Chuck we should trim it to sell for big money. I saw a single branch for sale on Etsy for $20. I don’t really have any intention of doing that. I don’t want to mar the shape of my plant. I did find the thought entertaining though.