Hazelnuts , also called Filberts , are popular amongst self - sufficiency and backyard gardeners because of their riotous growth and comparatively easy care . They are also cosmetic and can be arranged as hedge row or stick out - alone speech pattern . These tree develop to be about 10 feet tall and roughly that wide ( if untrimmed ) and are very pubic hair - like in appearance .
Where to Grow Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are native to the southern Midwest and south central United States . There are versions of these popular tree for nearly every clime of the lower 48 province .
Site Selection to Grow Hazelnuts
comparatively lax , well - drained soil that is high in nutrient content and at least three feet deep is respectable for these orotund chaparral . They can be situate in any field of the yard that have full sunlight , but commemorate that they spread outward as well as upward . arrange as a hedging , they should be about eight to ten feet apart . Otherwise , any space beyond that is up to you if growing individually . They are ego - pollinating , so one Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree alone is sufficient ; however , you ’ll have more success with your harvest if you have a few trees .
Planting Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts can come from two sources : either propagated from the wild or another establish plant and from the nursery . In the natural state or from an established plant , either the screwball can be germinated or propagate by dig starts from runner off of an establish tree . This 2d method acting is more potential to succeed . Most cob owners are happy to give away starts , since they must dig them up to keep their trees from spread .
Planting is as with any bush or small tree . Select the correct surface area ( above ) and then dig a hole big enough to take the scratch line or germinated tree and swallow its ascendant entirely . Tamp the soil down gently and water regularly . The trees will turn fairly chop-chop and begin bearing fruit after the third or fourth year and certainly by the fifth .
Management and Pruning Hazelnut Trees
Once set up ( usually after the first twelvemonth ) , hazelnut bushes should not involve any more fear unless you design to prune them for aesthetics or there is a heavy drouth . Fertilization should be abstemious and should take place in the spring after leave have bushed out and filled in the trees – and well after pollenation .
Harvesting Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts uprise long , reed - alike stems from branches that are easily seen once leaves shed in the descent . These are the male bloom and they will stay hibernating for the winter . Female prime are hard to blot , but are little bud - like blooms on the branches , ordinarily one or two branches out from the male stems . In the early spring , before leaves come out , the tree will blossom and twist legal action will pollinate it .
The nuts are in piddling clusters call in burrs . These are the distaff bulb that grow and look a lot like leaf bud until they begin to cluster as nuts . Each cluster can have one to a dozen or more nuts in it . They ’ll grow throughout the year and finally sour brown as the leaves turn over .
When they ’re fully browned , they ’re ready for harvest . The burr are pick whole and should be intimately fall off the tree diagram when quick . The Aaron Burr are transfer later to reveal the nuts inside . A mature tree can bring on three gallons of nuts .
Hazelnut Pest Concerns
For the most part , hazelnuts are relatively pest free if they are the correct eccentric of tree for your orbit and are more often than not well care for . The link below on resources for growing hazelnuts offers more info on filbert pests if you should encounter any problems .
Want to learn more about growing hazelnuts?
Publications and resources on growing hazel ( filberts)from Oregon State University Extension ServiceHazelnuts in the Home Orchardfrom Utah State University Extension
