Hybrid Hazelnut

1 and 2 yr old seedling shrubs

Corylus genus

Hybrid Hazelnuts have great potential as a perennial staple crop for cold climates. Our seed comes from open-pollinated, genetically diverse populations of European (Corylus avellana) and Asian (Corylus heterophylla) hazelnuts, which have large tasty nuts and are grown commercially, and American Hazelnuts (Corylus americana), which are more cold hardy and disease resistant but generally not grown commercially due to their small nut size. Hazelnuts hybridize readily, and with diverse populations like this, you can select seed from the best individuals that feature the best traits of each species (eg large nut size plus good cold hardiness and disease resistance).

Hybrid Hazelnuts have a high quantity and quality of oil which makes them an important contribution to our diets. The oil can also be used for lubrication and biofuel. These are easy and forgiving to grow. When deer browse them they respond by putting up more stems. Not a problem. Very tough and cold hardy. Should bear nuts every year in as little as four years from seed.

Parent trees originated from New Forest Farm in Wisconsin and Grimo Nut Nursery in Ontario.