Hazelnut (Lewis)
Corylus avellana 'Lewis'
A premium hazelnut variety developed by Oregon State University, prized for its large, flavorful nuts and excellent cracking quality. Lewis produces consistently heavy crops of nuts that are perfect for fresh eating or culinary use, with a rich, buttery flavor that rivals European varieties. This variety shows good resistance to eastern filbert blight, making it suitable for a wider range of growing regions.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–8
USDA hardiness
Height
12-20 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Hazelnut (Lewis) in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 nut-tree →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Hazelnut (Lewis) · Zones 4–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 6-feet-12 feet. Maintenance: Low. Propagation: Layering, Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
The fruit, in the form of a nut, is enclosed by a short leafy involucre, or husk. They appear in clusters of 1 to 5 and are released from the husk in late summer when the nut has ripened. The rounded nuts are about 1" in diameter.
Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow. Type: Nut. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall, Summer
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: Hazelnuts (cobnuts) are edible, and this plant is used in the production of these nuts.
History & Origin
Origin: Europe and Western Asia
Advantages
- +Attracts: Songbirds
- +Wildlife value: Birds, squirrels, and field mice often eat the nuts. Bees are attracted to the pollen.
- +Edible: Hazelnuts (cobnuts) are edible, and this plant is used in the production of these nuts.
- +Low maintenance
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Comfrey
Deep taproot brings nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and compost
Clover
Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover, attracts beneficial pollinators
Chives
Repels aphids and other pests, shallow roots don't compete with tree roots
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters ants and other crawling pests
Marigolds
Repel nematodes and various garden pests, attract beneficial predatory insects
Lavender
Attracts pollinators, repels moths and rodents that may damage nuts
Elderberry
Compatible growth habit, attracts beneficial insects, doesn't compete for nutrients
Wild Garlic
Natural fungicide properties, repels rodents and deer, shallow root system
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to hazelnuts and inhibits their growth
Pine Trees
Acidify soil significantly, hazelnuts prefer neutral to slightly alkaline conditions
Eucalyptus
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of nearby plants including fruit and nut trees
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 eastern filbert blight
Common Pests
Filbert worm, aphids, mites, squirrels
Diseases
Eastern filbert blight, bacterial blight, crown rot