Hazelnut is the fruit of the hazel tree and thus includes any nut derived from a species of the genus Corylus, especially nuts of the genus Corylus.
Hazelnuts are the easiest nut to grow, making them perfect for beginners! The Corylenaceae family includes common hazelnuts and related hazelnuts. Members of the hazelnut family produce stunning yellow catkins in late winter and early spring.
These are the male parts of the plant and contain the pollen needed to fertilize the female flowers and ensure a good harvest. On windy days, swarms of pollen disperse to pollinate the small female flowers at the top of the branches. This means that these wind-pollinated nuts prefer open air. Additionally, they are particularly hardy and can tolerate wet and cold winters. This makes them very useful for problem parts of the garden.
All hazelnut nuts will provide extra shelter and food for wildlife, especially when planted as part of a hedge. Hazelnuts prefer well-drained soil that is fairly low in nutrients; overly fertile soil allows for abundant foliage growth at the expense of flowers and nuts. Although hazelnut trees have both male and female flowers, they are not self-reproducing,
so you will always get better results if you plant them in clusters so that the pollen can drift from one hazelnut to another, although Other trees nearby will also help with pollination. Hazelnuts usually grow as a shrub and can be kept to a very manageable size through pruning.
Taking care of hazelnuts is easy. Prune them back in winter to create an open shrubbery. To do this, remove about one-third of the oldest growth and cut the stems back or carefully saw them back to the ground. Thin out overcrowded areas to keep the center light and airy. Cut off all crossing branches, but leave the young, branch-like growth where most of the female flowers are.
Nuts can be collected in the fall as soon as the shells turn yellow. Pick them off the tree and if they are fully ripe you can shake them onto a tarp or sheet.
Store nuts in a dry, ventilated place in a crate, net, cloth bag or crate.
