David Livingston wrote:I have noticed that in permiculuture news there are details of a book recommending hazel nuts for oil production 
if I can ever get them before the bloody squirrels I might give it a go
Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts, the book from the folks at Badgersett, had a short section on using hazelnut oil for biodiesel, and said they actually ran their tractor on it in trials.
They had some good advice on using blemished/damaged nuts for oil, and after pressing, use shells to burn or mulch, and the nut remnants could be used for fodder or compost, etc.
They have some tips for your rodent problems in the book as well, but can't remember off the top of my head the specifics aside from leaving open space around your hazels to promote predatory birds and reduce cover for the pests when moving to/from the hazels.
Now I don't have any hands on knowledge on hazels, just what I've read, so I'm sure there are several people here with a better grasp on this topic than myself.
