Add a valuable and resilient native plant to your garden with the American Hazelnut Tree, also known as Corylus americana. This deciduous shrub or small tree produces clusters of sweet, edible nuts enjoyed by both people and wildlife. Its rounded green leaves, attractive fall color, and hardy growth habit make it an excellent choice for edible hedges or naturalized plantings.

The American Hazelnut is cold-hardy, fast-growing, and low-maintenance, providing beauty, shade, and nutritious nuts with minimal care. Ideal for home growers, pollinator gardens, or forest edge plantings, this native species is both ornamental and productive.

Features

• 🌰 Nut-Producing Shrub: Yields sweet, edible hazelnuts ideal for snacking and baking.
• 🌳 Native North American Plant: Adaptable to a wide range of climates and soils.
• 🌿 Attractive Foliage: Lush green leaves turn golden-yellow and red in fall.
• 🌞 Cold Hardy: Thrives in USDA Zones 4–9.
• 🌱 Non-GMO Seeds: Pure and untreated, ideal for organic gardens.
• 🐝 Wildlife Friendly: Nuts and flowers attract birds, bees, and beneficial insects.
• 🪴 Versatile Growth: Works well as a hedge, windbreak, or ornamental shrub.

Specifications

• Common Name: American Hazelnut
• Scientific Name: Corylus americana
• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub/small tree
• Zones: USDA 4–9
• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed, spreading
• Height: 8–16 feet tall
• Width: 10–12 feet wide
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy soil
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.5
• Watering: Moderate, drought-tolerant once established
• Temperature Range: -30°F to 90°F (-34°C to 32°C)
• Days to Germination: 30–60 days (after stratification)
• Maturity: 4–5 years to nut production from seed
• Bloom Time: Early spring (catkins)
• Harvest Season: Late summer to early fall
• Pollination: Wind-pollinated; plant 2+ trees for optimal yields
• GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
• Uses: Nut production, wildlife habitat, hedgerow, ornamental landscaping

Planting Guide

• Cold Stratification: Place seeds in moist sand or peat moss in the refrigerator for 90–120 days.
• Sowing Depth: Plant seeds ½–1 inch deep in rich, well-draining soil.
• Temperature: Maintain 65–75°F during germination.
• Light: Provide bright, indirect sunlight for young seedlings.
• Transplanting: Move outdoors after frost danger passes.
• Spacing: Space 10–15 feet apart for full shrub development.
• Watering: Water regularly during first year; reduce once established.
• Fertilization: Apply compost or organic fertilizer in early spring.
• Pruning: Prune in late winter to shape and remove old stems.
• Harvest: Collect nuts once husks turn brown and begin to split open.

Care Tips

• Plant multiple shrubs for effective pollination and better nut yield.
• Protect seedlings from squirrels and deer during early growth.
• Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Prune every few years to maintain airflow and vigor.
• Avoid waterlogging—hazelnuts prefer well-drained soil.