American Hazelnut

American hazelnut Corylus americana is a suckering shrub with relatively small nuts.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

120 in

First harvest

Often 3–5 years after planting; seedlings vary

Tips

• Plant genetically distinct shrubs; manage suckers and distinguish pure species from hybrids.
• Choose nursery stock adapted to local hardiness, season length and disease pressure.
• Use cultivar- and rootstock-specific spacing rather than treating a planning value as universal.
• Water during establishment and avoid overcropping young plants.
• Choose at least two compatible cultivars with overlapping pollen shed and flower receptivity.
• Water deeply during dry spells and keep weeds away from establishing roots.
• Base fertilizer on soil tests and shoot growth rather than pushing lush growth with nitrogen.
• Remove unwanted suckers for a tree form and inspect stems for eastern filbert blight cankers.
• Collect nuts promptly as they loosen from their husks and fall, then dry them in a ventilated place.

Use local perennial planting guidance; spacing and bearing age vary with cultivar, nursery stock and training system.