Corylus americana

Product Info

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Birch Family

American Hazelnut is a deciduous, thicket forming shrub native to woodlands and thickets across the east coast. In the spring male and female flowers are produced on the same plant and are followed by 1/2' nuts enclosed in a leaf textured husk. Husks turn a tan-brown when ripe, and don't last long as they are a wildlife favorite. If you want some for yourself, harvest a little early, while still green and finish ripening in a warm, dry place. Plants are self-fertile, but two plants for cross pollination will produce a better seed set. Full sun is best for fruit production, but part shade and even shade will work too.  

Blooms: Yellow, 3-4 weeks, March-April 
Leaves: Wide, oval leaves are dark green and textured--nice fall color
Height: 9-12’ 
Space: 8-10’
Soil: Average-Moist
Exposure: Full sun-Part sun-Part shade 
Fauna: Nuts are the main value and are eaten by a variety of wildlife, also a host plant to over 100 lepidoptera
Seeds: Female flowers produce buts ready in late summer/early fall, wildlife favorite
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 4-9
Native Status: NC native, common in the Mountains and Piedmont, rare in the Coastal Plain
Provenance: Unknown, seed grown