American Hazelnut

Scientific name

Corylus americana

Description

American Hazelnut is a deciduous shrub species that grows between 3-4 m tall. The leaves are alternate, oval-ovate in shape, and have doubly serrate margins. The leaves are a medium green colour and are hairless on the upper surface, but have short hairs on the lower surface. Small flowers appear on elongated catkins and bloom from early to mid spring. Female flowers develop into an edible nut that is brown in colour and is enclosed by a papery husk. American Hazelnut has colony forming tendencies due to it’s thick rhizomatous root system, which would make it a suitable species for erosion control. The nut of American Hazelnut is an important winter food source for a variety of wildlife species, including large mammals, small mammals, and birds.

Planting conditions

American Hazelnut can grow in dry to moist soils, but prefers moist soils that are rich in nutrients. American Hazelnut grows in loam, sand, or rocky soil and prefers full sun or partial shade. It grows in neutral or alkaline soils and is tolerant to periodic drought. American Hazelnut can naturally be found growing in woodlands, thickets, roadsides, and close to stream banks.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 3-4 m
• Spread:
  • 4 m