Unknown 'twig' for ID

[Hedgehoggy]

Any ideas what this may be? My small son planted several fruit pips/stones in this pot a few years ago (as kids do!). He used soil from our garden, so it’s more than likely something which was already in the soil and not one of his planted pips/stones! Last year he was delighted to see that he had grown a ‘twig’ This year he says his ‘twig’ is now a tree! We’d both be very interested to find out what it is.

(The plant is approx 2 ft tall and the largest leaf measures 1.5cm length x 1cm width)

[Dutchess]

Any chance it could be Hazel? It has that alternate arrangement of leaf stalks....and it looks a little on the hairy side to me.

Whatever it is, bless! Your son must be thrilled

D.

[Hedgehoggy]

Thanks for the speedy reply, Dutchess. It would be lovely if it was a Hazel I have often put out hazel nuts for the birds and squirrels in the garden, so this is a possibility. Interestingly, the hairs on the stems aren't visible to the naked eye - I used the 'flower mode' setting on my camera to take the pic of the tiny leaves and it was only when I uploaded the pics that I noticed the hairy stems too!

Whatever it is, my son is thrilled with it! (And I would be thrilled if it was a Hazel! )