Corylus americana (American Hazlenut)

One of the few native shrubs that combines genuine wildlife and edible-nut value with real shade tolerance, American hazelnut hosts the striking Luna Moth as a larval species while also feeding squirrels, deer, foxes, and a range of game birds - all from a plant naturally resistant to the blight that devastates commercial hazelnut varieties.

Species Overview

Corylus americana, the American hazelnut, is a suckering, native deciduous shrub in the Betulaceae family, valuable for its ornamental qualities and its production of edible nuts. It is multi-stemmed, dense, and usually reaches a mature height of 8 to 12 feet. Each plant bears both female flowers and male catkins in very early spring, before the leaves emerge, and produces edible nuts that mature between July and October.

Application

• Hedgerow, windbreak, and wildlife border plantings
• Woodland edge and understory restoration - tolerates dense shade
• Edible-landscape and food-forest plantings
• Larval host habitat for the Luna Moth
• Wildlife habitat - nuts are a higher-nutrition food source than acorns for many species

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Full Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Rich, moist, well-drained soils preferred; tolerates drier conditions in more shade and wetter conditions along stream banks
• Growth Rate: Rapid
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Mature Height: 8-12 ft.
• Fall Color: Yellow, Orange, Red (occasionally purple)
• Bloom Color / Period: Yellow, Red; March
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACU (Facultative Upland)
• Native Range: Eastern and central United States and extreme southern Canada
• Hydrology: Dry-Mesic
• Root Depth: Moderate (12-24 in.)
• Salinity Tolerance: Low
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate
• Flood Tolerance: Low - An upland and moist-woodland-edge shrub, not a wetland species; not documented as flood tolerant.
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate
• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed/Thicket-forming - suckering shrub
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Deer Resistance: Some - see flags
• Pollinator Value: Larval host, supports moths

Planting Guidance

• Wind-pollinated - a small colony of plants is recommended for reliable, high nut yields, though a single plant can produce some nuts.