Attributes:
The American filbert or hazelnut is a native of the eastern United States. The tasty nuts are highly prized by people and wildlife, Filbert hedges can be used as windbreaks, visual screens, and to attract wildlife.
Description:
The American Filbert is a multi-stemmed shrub with a rounded top
and an open, often wide-spreading base. Because of its size, it is adapts well
to naturalizing and other nonformal areas. It bears annual, abundant crops of small,
sweet tasting nuts. It will bear in 2-3 years after planting. The nuts are easy
to crack and drop free of the husk when mature. (Plant multiple trees with
the same flowering time to ensure pollination) (zone 4-9)
Wildlife Value:
The nuts produced by American hazelnut are a preferred by squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, pheasants, grouse, quail, and jay. The male catkins are a food staple of ruffed grouse throughout the winter.
Leaves:
Simple, alternate, 2 1/2"-6" long, dark green surface.
Flower Color:
Female is red and male is yellowish brown
Bloom Time:
Mid-winter to early spring.
Fruit Description:
The downy, deeply cut and notched, 1" involucre in clusters of 2-6 encloses a 1/2", slightly flattened, thick, smooth, brown shell with a sweet, round kernel. Harvest from September to October.
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