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Corylus americana - Marshall.

Common Name American Hazel
Family Betulaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Thickets and rich woods[43, 159]. Moist to dry open woods and thickets, hillsides, roadsides, fencerows, and waste place from sea level to 750 metres[270].
Range Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Saskatchewan and Oklahoma.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Corylus americana American Hazel


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Corylus americana American Hazel
William S. Justice @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Corylus americana is a deciduous Tree growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Seed - raw or cooked in soups, bread, biscuits, sweets etc[63, 101, 183]. The nuts have a thick shell with a small sweet kernel[183], they make an excellent dessert[K]. Although smaller than the seeds of cultivated species, the seed is of the same general quality[270]. Nuts at the 'milk' stage (before they are fully ripe) are softer and sweeter[183]. The seed is rich in oil. The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[K]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed,

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Poultice

A tea made from the bark is astringent[222]. It was used in the treatment of hives and fevers[222, 257]. A poultice made from the bark is used to close cuts and wounds, treat tumours, old sores etc[222, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Oil

The plant makes a good screening hedge[159].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils including chalk, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[11, 200]. It does well in a loamy soil[11, 200]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[1, 11]. This species is cultivated in America for its edible seed, there are some named varieties[61, 183]. This species is of little value in Britain, however, rarely bearing seeds[11]. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[11]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping plant, forming a colony from shoots away from the crown but with a limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[164]. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification[164]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[164]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[78, 200]. Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Corylus avellanaCommon Hazel, Common filbert, European Filbert, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, Corkscrew Hazel, HazelTree6.0 4-8 MLMHSNM525
Corylus avellana pontica Tree0.0 -  LMHSNM403
Corylus chinensisChinese HazelTree24.0 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Corylus colurnaTurkish Hazel, Chinese hazelnut, Turkish Filbert, Turkish HazelTree20.0 4-7 SLMHSNM313
Corylus cornutaBeaked Hazel, California hazelnut, Turkish Filbert, Turkish HazelShrub3.0 4-7  LMHSNM313
Corylus cornuta californicaCalifornia HazelShrub8.0 4-8  LMHSNM304
Corylus fargesii Tree15.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Corylus feroxHimalayan Hazel, Tibetan hazelnutTree10.0 7-10  LMHSNM202
Corylus heterophyllaSiberian FilbertTree7.0 4-8  LMHSNM314
Corylus hybrids & neohybridsHybrid & Neohybrids, Hazel, FilbertShrub25.0 4-9 MLMHSNM525
Corylus jacquemontiiIndian Tree HazelTree25.0 6-9  LMHSNM30 
Corylus maximaFilbert, Giant filbertShrub6.0 4-8  LMHSNM505
Corylus sieboldianaJapanese Hazel, Manchurian hazelShrub5.0 5-9  LMHSNM301
Corylus sieboldiana mandschuricaHairy hazel, Japanese hazelnut,Shrub4.5 5-9  LMHSNM301
Corylus tibetica Tree15.0 6-9  LMHSNM20 
Corylus x colurnoidesTrazelTree15.0 0-0  LMHSNM300
Corylus x vilmoriniiChinese TrazelTree25.0 4-8  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Marshall.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

jan   Sun Mar 23 2008

uuuhhhh, i don't think the american hazelnut is self fertile.....

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