Arbor Day Farm Hazelnut
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| More than 5,000 hazelnut bushes, planted
from 1995 through 1998, are thriving on nine acres of land just
north of Lied Lodge and Conference Center. |
The Hazelnut Field at Arbor Day Farm is located on nine acres of
gently sloping land just north of Lied Conference Center. While
adding beauty to Arbor Day Farm, this unique woody perennial field
is also showing the way to better food production, environmental
health, and innovative agroforestry practices.
Arbor Day Farm Hazelnut Research Field
From the terrace of Lied Conference Center visitors can see 5,000
hazelnut bushes, planted from 1995 through 1998, that represent
real hope for the advancement of woody perennials grown for crop
production. A major advantage of woody agriculture is that crop-producing
trees or woody perennials planted on a hillside help prevent soil
erosion by eliminating the need for tilling and plowing associated
with annual row crops. Hazelnuts also offer high food value, strong
market price, and the ability to produce large yields. Hazelnuts
are prized in confections, flavorings, and for their oil. Once established,
hazels are drought tolerant and disease resistant. Arbor Day Farm's
Hazelnut Field includes more than 100 different hybrids, to be studied
over time for hardiness, nut production, quality of nuts, rate of
maturity, and disease resistance. Research at the Farm will make
it possible to identify superior trees or hybrids, which will then
be cloned for production use.
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| An excellent source of nutrients, hazelnuts
are a prized nut crop. |
Woody agriculture can help feed a hungry world, provide employment,
keep topsoil intact and waterways clean, give a home to wildlife,
and even help reverse global warming.
Principles you can use…
Hazelnuts can be grown in a variety of applications. Plants can
be grown as a pick-your-own orchard crop or planted on a smaller
scale in windbreaks, living snowfence, and wildlife plantings. Since
these plants may live for 30-100 years, or more, it is important
to choose the proper site. Different uses affect the spacing and
location.
To learn more…
Visitors to Arbor Day Farm can learn more at the Lied Greenhouse,
located adjacent to the Education Pavilion. Eventually outstanding
varieties of hybrid hazels identified in the Hazelnut Research Field
will be grown in the Greenhouse.
Publications:
For a brochure, Hybrid Hazelnuts: An Agroforestry Opportunity,
which describes planting and growing hazelnuts write to: The National
Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th , Lincoln, NE 68610
Web sites
More information on growing hybrid hazelnuts can also be found
at the following Web sites:
Books
The Hazel Tree. 2000. Farris, C., Northern Nut Growers Association,
Townsend , DE
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