American Hazelnut

American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

Tough, productive, and ecologically rich, the American hazelnut is a multi-stemmed native shrub that earns its keep in both wild and cultivated landscapes. It produces sweet, protein-rich nuts in late summer to early fall, excellent for fresh eating, roasting, or grinding into flour or nut butter. The nuts are smaller than commercial European hazelnuts but more adaptable and disease-resistant, especially in colder climates.

This fast-growing shrub spreads by suckers to form dense thickets, making it a great choice for edible hedgerows, windbreaks, and wildlife borders. Its catkins provide early-season pollen for native bees, while its nuts feed a wide variety of birds and mammals. It thrives in a range of soil types and can handle both full sun and partial shade.

Perfect for food forests, permaculture systems, and native plantings, Corylus americana offers beauty, resilience, and yield all in one.

Details:

• Height: 6–12 feet

• Spread: 8–15 feet (suckering form)

• Light: Full sun to part shade

• Soil: Well-drained; adaptable to a wide range

• Bloom time: Late winter to early spring (catkins)

• Nut harvest: Late summer to early fall

• Pollination: Needs two or more for good nut set

• Edibility: Small, sweet hazelnuts; eat raw, roasted, or processed

• Wildlife value: Supports birds, squirrels, and pollinators

• Zones: 4–9

• Native to: Central and eastern North America