Adding hazel tree catkins to compost?

[WellTidy]

Neighbours have a massive hazel tree that partly overhang our paths and a bed. At this time of year, I am picking up about 50 catkins a day, and I’ve been adding them to my compost heap. I am pretty new to composting, and I’ve had a sudden worrying thought - am I essentially going to be planting hazel seedlings everywhere that I now put compost?!

It's fine, don't worry. It's hazel nuts that grow into trees!

Phew! I was worried that the flower would mix with something (?!) and do some damage!

The hazel catkin is the male flower (the female flower is a tiny red tuft). The male flower provides pollen, the female flower provides the ovary that develops into the nut.

There are very few flowers that can summon up enough energy to develop seeds once you’ve cut them off and put them on the compost heap.