Hazelnut
Corylus americana, C. avellana
Nuts in three years; plant two.
Hardiness: zones 4 to 8
Light: full sun to part shade
Size: about 10 ft tall, 10 ft wide
Harvest: August to September
From: N. America and Europe
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food, wildlife.
Native to: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest & Great Lakes, Great Plains & Texas, Eastern Canada, Temperate Europe, Mediterranean, Caucasus. Hardy in zones 4 to 8.
The story
American hazelnut (C. americana) is an Ohio native. European hazelnuts come from Europe and western Asia. Hazels bloom in winter. The tiny red female flowers are easy to miss.
Planting
Full sun to part shade. Soil: well-drained (pH 6.0–7.0). Spacing: 6–10 ft. Pollination: wind-pollinated. Plant two or more different shrubs.
Growing
Water: moderate. Winter: Catkins release pollen in late winter. Spring: Remove extra suckers if you want a tree shape. Summer: Water young plants. Fall: Pick when husks start to brown.
Harvest and use
Harvest: September (beat the squirrels). First crop: 3–5 years.
What to watch for
Squirrels, Eastern filbert blight (American types resist it).
See if Hazelnut fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home