Hazel (American)
Corylus americana
A native North American shrub that produces clusters of small, sweet nuts beloved by both wildlife and gardeners. This hardy, cold-tolerant species thrives in a wide range of conditions and makes an excellent choice for naturalistic landscapes or permaculture designs. The nuts have a rich, buttery flavor and the plant provides beautiful fall color and early spring catkins.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
9-12 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hazel (American) in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 nut-tree →Zone Map
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Hazel (American) · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 9 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 8 ft. 0 in. - 13 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Female flowers develop into a small cluster of green nuts enclosed by two protective bracts that turn brown when the nuts are ripe. Nuts are 1/2 inch in size. Display time is late summer and fall.
Color: Brown/Copper, Green. Type: Nut. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Garden value: Edible
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring, Winter
Edibility: Its nuts are edible.
History & Origin
Origin: United State and Canada
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Fire
- +Attracts: Butterflies, Small Mammals, Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: The nuts are eaten by songbirds, ruffed grouse, quail, wild turkeys, chipmunks, black bears, foxes, white-tailed deer, skunks, and squirrels. The twigs and leaves are browsed by white-tailed deer. It is also the host plant for caterpillars of the Saturniidae moth.
- +Edible: Its nuts are edible.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Wild Ginger
Provides ground cover, retains moisture, and attracts beneficial insects without competing for nutrients
Elderberry
Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, provides windbreak protection, and improves soil health
Wild Bergamot
Attracts native pollinators essential for hazel nut production and repels harmful insects
Comfrey
Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, provides mulch material, and doesn't compete with shallow hazel roots
Chives
Repels aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects, compatible root depth
Wild Columbine
Attracts early pollinators during hazel flowering season and tolerates partial shade
Ferns
Thrives in hazel's filtered shade, provides living mulch, and doesn't compete for nutrients
Serviceberry
Compatible growth habit, attracts pollinators, and provides additional wildlife food source
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits hazel growth and nut production
Eastern Red Cedar
Can harbor cedar-hazel rust disease that damages hazel leaves and reduces nut yield
Wild Cherry
Competes aggressively for nutrients and water, can harbor pests that affect hazel
Maple Trees
Dense canopy blocks essential sunlight needed for hazel flowering and nut production
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2515375)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to most diseases, susceptible to eastern filbert blight in some regions
Common Pests
Filbert weevil, aphids, scale insects
Diseases
Eastern filbert blight (in susceptible areas), bacterial blight