American Hazelnut at a glance
- Zones 4–9USDA hardiness
- 8–12 fttall, 6–12 ft wide
- Full sun–part shadelight
- Mediumgrowth rate
- 4–5 yearsto first crop
- Plant 2+pollination
Botanical name: Corylus americana · Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained loam or sandy soil and tolerates occasional drought.
Pollination: plant two or more
American hazelnut cannot pollinate itself, so plant at least two American hazelnut seedlings (each seedling is genetically different) within about 50 ft of each other. Wind-pollinated and not self-fertile; plant two or more American hazelnut seedlings for nuts.
Get 2 American HazelnutHow to grow American Hazelnut
Multi-stemmed, rounded shrub that spreads by suckers.
Planting
It ships dormant and bare root in your zone's planting window. Soak the roots a few hours, plant at the depth it grew and water well. Full planting guide.
Sun & site
Full sun gives the best nut crops; tolerates part shade.
Pruning
Prune in late winter to remove old stems and unwanted suckers to keep it productive and in bounds.
Pests & disease
Fairly tolerant of eastern filbert blight; Japanese beetles, scale and nut weevils can occur.
Wildlife
The nuts feed blue jays, woodpeckers, turkeys, squirrels and other wildlife, and the dense thickets give cover.
American Hazelnut through the year
- SpringYellow male catkins and tiny red female flowers before leaves
- SummerNuts form inside frilly, leafy husks
- Late summerHusks turn brown; harvest in September-October
- FallYellow to orange-red leaves
Facts checked against: plants.ces.ncsu.edu, mortonarb.org, cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu
American Hazelnut questions
Do I need two American hazelnut plants to get nuts?
Yes. Hazelnuts do not self-pollinate, so plant at least two seedlings; each seedling is genetically different and can pollinate the other.
Are American hazelnut husks prickly?
No. The nuts sit in a soft, frilly, leaf-like husk that turns from green to brown as they ripen.
Is American hazelnut a tree or a shrub?
It is a multi-stemmed shrub that grows 8-12 ft tall and suckers into a thicket, though it can be pruned to fewer stems.
When do you harvest American hazelnuts?
Pick clusters in September to early October when husks start to brown, before squirrels and jays take them, and let them dry.
Can European hazelnut varieties pollinate my American hazelnut?
Do not rely on them; plant another American hazelnut seedling, which blooms at the same time and is hardy in the same climate.
What arrives when I order a hazelnut?
A dormant bare-root plant about 2-3 ft tall, shipped without leaves for spring or fall planting.
Published January 24, 2023 · Updated January 24, 2023 · Northern Ridge Nursery