One of the most northern nut species in the world, the beaked hazel is one tough hazel. It’s ability to re-sprout after fire, grow in pancake thin top soils as well as tolerance to frost and drought make it an ideal nut shrub. The nuts are wedged within the long ‘beak’ are fairly easy to crack but are tricky to get out of the husk. Given enough sunlight and room, the plant flourishes.
We began planting beaked hazels on our farm from other nurseries and soon found they were not beaked. We found a producer of the real thing and now these plants are being use as an additional pollen sources as well as a shrub layer near our oaks as this hazel is fairly shade tolerant. They really grow best along the edges of oaks and pine trees. They grow especially well in dry acidic soils.
| Plant Specs |
| Genus & Species |
Corylus cornuta |
| Seed Source |
Peace River, Canada and the western U.S. |
| Hardiness |
-40 |
| Height (ft) |
8 |
| Width (ft) |
4 |
| Pollination Requirements |
Two plants are necessary. Cross pollination within the species is the best but may cross with the American and hybrid hazels to some degree. |
| Soil |
Acidic sandy soil ideal. |
| Climate |
Zone 2ish-3 to zone 7. |
| Ease of Cultivation |
A high and dry shrub with durability like few others. Does not runner much. |
