CORYLUS AMERICANA / AMERICAN HAZELNUT

CORYLUS AMERICANA / AMERICAN HAZELNUT

A Native Shrub with Nut-Bearing Value and Wildlife Benefits

Corylus americana, commonly known as American Hazelnut, is a native deciduous shrub admired for its multi-stemmed form, serrated green leaves, and edible nuts. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soils, American Hazelnut adds texture, seasonal interest, and ecological value to woodland edges, naturalized landscapes, and hedgerows. Its nuts provide food for wildlife, while its dense branching offers shelter and cover.

Why Choose American Hazelnut?

Wildlife Friendly: Nuts feed birds, squirrels, and other small mammals.
Ornamental Foliage: Green leaves turn yellow in fall, adding seasonal interest.
Low Maintenance: Hardy, long-lived, and adaptable to a variety of soils.
Multi-Stemmed Habit: Dense branching provides structure, cover, and natural hedging.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green leaves turning yellow in fall.
Flower/Seed Color: Small catkins in early spring; edible brown nuts in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 6–12 feet tall and 6–12 feet wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 4–8.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Well-drained soils; tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 6–12 feet tall, 6–12 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 4–8.
Flowering: Early spring with small catkins.
Fruit/Nut Production: Edible brown nuts mature in late summer to fall.

Ideal Uses:

Woodland & Naturalized Landscapes: Perfect for forest edges, hedgerows, and native plantings.
Wildlife Gardens: Supports birds, squirrels, and other small mammals.
Borders & Shrub Beds: Adds dense structure, texture, and seasonal interest.
Low-Maintenance Landscapes: Hardy, adaptable, and long-lived once established.

American Hazelnut is a versatile and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its edible nuts, dense branching, and seasonal foliage make it an excellent choice for wildlife gardens, woodland edges, and naturalized landscapes.