How to Grow and Care for Hazelnut Trees

The European hazelnut is the common source of hazelnuts, also called filberts. In addition to producing delicious nuts, they are valued for their ornamental value. The moderately fast-growing plant forms a multi-trunked shrub or small tree with a suckering growth habit. In late winter to early spring, before the leaves emerge, male flowers in the form of catkins and inconspicuous female flowers are formed on the same plant but at different times. For the pollination to take place, two different varieties of European hazelnuts are needed. The nuts ripen in late August and September.

European hazelnuts should be planted during their dormancy period, preferably in the late winter or early spring.

How to Plant Hazelnut Trees

When to Plant

Plant trees during their dormancy in the late fall or early spring.

Selecting a Planting Site

The location should get at least 8 hours of full direct sunlight every day. In terms of soil quality, the hazelnuts are adaptable but the soil needs to be rich and well-drained with a slightly acidic pH between 6.3 and 6.8.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

Space the trees 15 to 18 feet apart. For planting, dig a hole wide and deep enough to accommodate the J-shaped root system. Place a small amount of soil in the hole and spread out the roots. Cover the top root with 2 to 3 inches of soil (hazelnut roots grow close to the soil surface). Add a couple of additional inches of soil to allow for the soil to settle without exposing the top roots. Tamp down the soil and water deeply.

Because hazelnut trees develop multiple stems, staking is not needed. But to protect the young plant against deer browsing and other wildlife, use a mesh tree guard for the first few years.

Hazelnut Tree Plant Care

Light

Placing a hazel in a location that receives full sun most of the day will give you the best yield of flowers and nuts if that is what you are trying to achieve. It will tolerate part shade as well, but you will see a decrease in flower production.

Soil

The hazel tree is very adaptable, but it is best to avoid densely packed soils, clays, or rocky soils. Its preference would be to grow in sandy loams that drain rather well.

Water

Keeping your hazel tree watered is important to ensure profuse flower and nut production. It will not tolerate drought and will need supplemental watering to remain a viable producer if you look forward to it fruiting during dry periods. Water it using the standard rule to establish: 10 gallons per inch of trunk diameter every week after planting. Using this method will keep your hazel green and blossoming in even the driest of weather.

Temperature and Humidity

Hazels thrive in temperate climates in USDA zones 4-8. They don’t do well when exposed to extremes, either winter old, summer heat, or high humidity. Wind, on the other hand, is not an issue, in fact, for pollination, they need windy conditions. But that is the only extreme they resist well.

Fertilizer

For the best blooms and fruit production, give your tree an application of organic slow-release fruiting tree fertilizer in the fall. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.

Pollination

If you want to grow European hazelnuts for their nuts, you need at least two different varieties of Corylus avellana to ensure cross-pollination. There are many different varieties, popular ones include ‘Jefferson’, ‘McDonald’, ‘PollyO’, ‘Wepster’, and ‘Yamhill’. Nursery catalogs usually indicate which varieties pollinate best with each other.

Harvesting Hazelnuts

Ripe nuts drop on their own over the course of a few weeks. Either collect the nuts on a regular basis before wildlife snaps them up or place a tarp or old sheet below the hazelnut bush and gently shake it to loosen the nuts.

How to Grow Hazelnut Trees in Pots

Due to their extensive root system, hazelnut trees are not suitable to be grown in containers.

Pruning

The primary upkeep task for a hazelnut tree involves cutting away the suckers that all hazels develop. You may actually want this dense growth if you are using your hazel to attract wildlife and birds. The sucker growth will create a thicket and give shelter and a habitat to the critters and feathered friends when they need it. For a neat appearance, which also makes harvesting easier, cut the sucker growth and create a brush pile with it as a shelter. The cuttings are fantastic for all kinds of crafts, from basketry to wreath-making.

Be careful not to confuse suckers with lateral branches. Don't remove any branches that shield the trunk from sun exposure, or you will end up with irreversible, prolific sprouting.

Propagating Hazelnut Trees

Hazelnut trees are typically layered or grafted, a job that is best left to nursery professionals. As they are propagated by vegetative methods, growing them from seed is not recommended.

Overwintering

The European hazelnut tree is able to survive winters as low as Zone 4 but because it blooms earlier than its American counterparts, it may be damaged by unseasonably cold early spring weather. Some varieties are hardier than others; follow the nursery's recommendations for the varieties that work best in your geographical area.

Common Pests and Plant Diseaeses

The most common serious issue affecting European hazelnuts is Eastern filbert blight (EFB), a fungus that causes cankers and kills the tree within a few years. Select cultivars that have been bred for resistance against the diseases.

Pests include scale and Japanese beetles which may defoliate the plant.

From: thespruce