American Hazelnut

American Hazelnut

Corylus americana

A hardy native shrub known for its rounded form, soft textured leaves, and delicious edible nuts. In early spring, long golden catkins hang from the branches while tiny red female flowers appear near the buds, signaling the start of the growing season.

By late summer, clusters of sweet hazelnuts develop inside leafy husks, providing an important food source for wildlife and people alike.

A Valuable Native Food Plant

American Hazelnut has long been valued as both a wildlife plant and a traditional food crop. The rich, flavorful nuts are eaten by squirrels, chipmunks, birds, and many other animals.

Indigenous communities also harvested the nuts as an important seasonal food.

A Shrub of Woodland Edges and Sunny Thickets

This adaptable shrub naturally grows along woodland edges, open forests, prairies, hedgerows, and old fields. It forms dense thickets through underground stems, creating important habitat and shelter for birds and small mammals.

Its deep root system helps stabilize soils and makes it well suited for restoration plantings and naturalized landscapes.

Growing Information

Height: 8–15 ft

Spread: 8–15 ft

Light: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Average to dry, well-drained soils

Hardiness: Zone 3–7

Growth Rate: Moderate

Best planted in hedgerows, wildlife plantings, woodland edges, edible landscapes, and ecological restoration projects.

Ecological Importance

American Hazelnut:

Produces highly nutritious nuts for wildlife

Provides dense cover and nesting habitat for birds

Supports native insects and pollinators

Helps stabilize soils in open landscapes

Associated Woodland Edge & Thicket Species

Common companions in natural plant communities include:

• Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa)
• Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
• New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus)
• Wild Plum (Prunus americana)
• Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
• Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)
• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Planting these species together helps recreate resilient woodland edge and thicket ecosystems that support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive 🌱
Origin Native Plants 🌱

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