Quick answer: American hazelnut is a native nut shrub for USDA zones 4–9 that grows 8–12 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide in full sun to part shade. It is grown for small, sweet hazelnuts and wildlife cover. It cannot pollinate itself, so plant two or more seedlings; expect nuts in about 4–5 years.
Why grow American Hazelnut
- Native to the United States
- Edible harvest, starting in about 4–5 years
- The nuts feed blue jays, woodpeckers, turkeys, squirrels and other wildlife, and the dense thickets give cover
- Yellow to orange-red fall color
- Works in a windbreak
- Works as a hedge or screen
American Hazelnut at a glance
| Botanical name | Corylus americana |
|---|---|
| Plant type | Deciduous shrub |
| USDA hardiness zones | 4–9 |
| Mature height | 8–12 ft |
| Mature spread | 6–12 ft |
| Sunlight | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Years to fruit | 4–5 |
| Pollination | Plant two or more for fruit or nuts |
| Fall color | Yellow to orange-red |
| Ships as | Dormant bare-root plant, 2–3 ft |
| Can't ship to | AK, AZ, CA, HI, OR, WA |
Pollination
American hazelnut cannot pollinate itself, so plant at least two American hazelnut seedlings (each seedling is genetically different) within about 50 ft of each other.
Planting and care
- Sun: Full sun gives the best nut crops; tolerates part shade.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained loam or sandy soil and tolerates occasional drought.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove old stems and unwanted suckers to keep it productive and in bounds.
- Pests and diseases: Fairly tolerant of eastern filbert blight; Japanese beetles, scale and nut weevils can occur.
Step-by-step bare-root planting instructions
What arrives and when
Your American Hazelnut ships dormant (no leaves) and bare root (no pot or soil) at 2–3 ft. It may look like a bare stick with roots; that is normal for a dormant plant. Spring shipping runs March 15 to July 30 for all zones, timed to your zone. Fall shipping, November 15 to late February, is for Zones 6–10 only. See the dates for your zone.
We can't ship this plant to: AK, AZ, CA, HI, OR, WA.
Covered by our 1-year warranty (store credit; terms apply).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need two American hazelnut plants to get nuts?
Yes. Hazelnuts do not self-pollinate, so plant at least two seedlings; each seedling is genetically different and can pollinate the other.
Are American hazelnut husks prickly?
No. The nuts sit in a soft, frilly, leaf-like husk that turns from green to brown as they ripen.
Is American hazelnut a tree or a shrub?
It is a multi-stemmed shrub that grows 8–12 ft tall and suckers into a thicket, though it can be pruned to fewer stems.
When do you harvest American hazelnuts?
Pick clusters in September to early October when husks start to brown, before squirrels and jays take them, and let them dry.
Can European hazelnut varieties pollinate my American hazelnut?
Do not rely on them; plant another American hazelnut seedling, which blooms at the same time and is hardy in the same climate.
What arrives when I order a hazelnut?
A dormant bare-root plant about 2–3 ft tall, shipped without leaves for spring or fall planting.
Plant facts checked October 2026 against: NC State Extension, Morton Arboretum, University of Wisconsin–Madison.