Corylus avellana 'Jefferson'
treeHazelnut, also called filbert (Corylus avellana), is a multi-stemmed large shrub or small tree, 10 to 15 ft tall and nearly as wide if suckers are removed, grown for round nuts borne in leafy husks. The great threat is Eastern filbert blight, a fungus lethal to ordinary European hazelnuts, so home growers should plant resistant cultivars - Jefferson is the most widely planted - or hardy American hybrids. Hazelnuts are not self-fertile and are pollinated by wind in late winter, so a second compatible variety is required. Trees begin bearing in about 4 years.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 10 days
Harvest
~4 yrs
to first harvest
Difficulty
medium
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
15-20 ft apart (4-5 ft in a hedgerow)
Planting Depth
Set at the nursery soil line
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Well-drained loam
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
When to Fertilize
Early spring as growth resumes
Fertilizer
Balanced; light nitrogen per soil test
Grow hazelnuts in full sun in well-drained loam; they tolerate a range of soils but resent waterlogging. Decide early whether you want a single-trunk tree or a bush - left alone they sucker into a thicket, so remove suckers yearly for a tree form. Plant two or more compatible, blight-resistant varieties within 50 ft for pollination, since their tiny flowers open and shed pollen in the cold of late winter. Water through dry spells, mulch to keep roots cool, and prune in late winter to open the center and remove old or blighted wood.
Direct sow
Apr 29
Projected first harvest
Sep 26 · Year 5
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The make-or-break disease; plant resistant cultivars such as Jefferson, scout for the dead branch cankers, and prune them out well below the damage
Filbertworm
The main nut pest - larvae feed inside the nuts; clean up dropped nuts and use traps to time control
Swollen, rounded buds that fail to open signal mites; remove and destroy infested buds and avoid moving them on tools
Hazelnuts ripen in late summer to early fall and drop to the ground when ready, which makes gathering easy - rake or pick them up promptly and often before squirrels and jays clear them out. Husk the nuts, then dry them in a single layer in a warm, airy place for a couple of weeks until the kernels are crisp. Cured in-shell hazelnuts keep for several months in a cool, dry spot.
Hazelnuts are rich, sweet nuts high in healthy fats, vitamin E, and minerals, eaten raw or roasted, ground into meal, and famously blended with chocolate. They are easy to crack and store well. In the landscape the suckering bushes double as an informal hedge and a strong early-season pollen source for the first bees of the year.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5