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Hazelnuts Care At A Glance

Trees grow at a moderate rate to a size of 12 to 20 feet high & wide.
Hazelnuts require specific cross-pollination to produce nuts.
Trees typically reach maturity to bear age in 5-8 years from planting.
They require well-drained, organically rich, deep soils.
Hazelnuts are suitable for planting in USDA zones 5-8.

Planting Instructions

Follow the same planting instructions, as you would for other bareroot trees.

Amend existing soil appropriately with organic material to help improve drainage.

NOTE: Proper drainage is critical for fruit-bearing trees to do well long-term. Do not use potting soil.

Soak roots for 8-24 hours prior to planting.

NOTE: While the graft must stay above the natural soil grade, nut trees should be planted in shallow basins to help hold water and to collect beneficial rainfall when it occurs. Nut trees form deep tap roots.

Tip prune the top of the main leader by 1/3 to 1/2, immediately after planting.

With clean pruners, cut at a slight angle, just above a visible bud.

New nut trees should get 2 inches of water per week for the first growing season.

2 inches of water equates to about 5-7 gallons every 2-3 days.
Remove competitive grass & weeds to form a 3-4 feet tree well and add 2-3 inches of compost or mulch.

Cage or wrap tree trunks to prevent predation from deer or rodents.

NOTE: DO NOT rely solely on rain events to provide enough moisture to newly planted trees.

Pollination

Hazelnuts have complex pollination requirements. Even though trees produce both male and female flowers, their pollen is self-sterile, causing trees to be individually infertile or incapable of producing nuts on their own. Another variety with compatible pollen must be planted nearby.

For adequate nut production, plant hazelnut trees with no more than 20 feet of spacing between trees.
The timing of pollen donor trees must be compatible with that of the female blooming time.
Compatible pollination partners should be planted one to one in an alternating pattern.

Varieties

'Jefferson'

One of the most productive cultivars.
Has high resistance to Eastern Filbert blight and bud mites.
Mid to late-season blooming.
Pollination partners include 'Gamma', 'Theta', 'Eta', or 'Yamhill'.

'Gamma'

Mid-season bloomer.
Pollen shed can overlap for the first half of the receptive season of 'Jefferson' females.
Has high resistance to Eastern Filbert blight and bud mites.
Is a suitable pollinizer for other hazelnut cultivars such as 'Lewis' and 'Barcelona' in OSU trials.

Pruning

Hazelnuts are easy-to-grow, needing only occasional pruning. For the best nut production, good light penetration into the canopy is important to maintain. Trees with open canopies have been shown to increase quantities of nuts produced, nut size, and kernel size while reducing single-nut clusters that are common inside densely shaded trees.

Prune as needed starting the second year after planting, while trees are dormant in late winter to early spring.
Follow basic fruit tree pruning techniques.

Fertilizing

Light fertilizing can be done with balanced 10-10-10 all-purpose food or organic 3-5-3 fertilizer, starting the second season in the ground. Apply once annually in early spring for the best results.