Corylus avellana (Hazelnut)
- Herman Kraut
- Sep 14
- 4 min read
Common Name: Hazelnut
Scientific Name: Corylus avellana
Plant Family: Betulaceae
Lifecycle: Perennial
The common hazelnut is a versatile shrub producing nutritious nuts, dense greenery, and habitat value. Growing Corylus avellana in Zone 8a Mediterranean conditions means balancing drought resilience with regular establishment care. Its bushy form provides shade for younger plants, while nuts and coppiced wood offer long-term food and fuel.
For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.
Plant Profile
Characteristic | Information |
Climate Suitability | USDA Zones 4–8; Köppen Csa/Cfb (Mediterranean, temperate) |
Sun / Shade Needs | Full sun to partial shade |
Watering Needs | Moderate; weekly deep soak until established |
Soil Preferences | Well-drained loam, pH 6.0–7.5 |
Spacing & Height | 4–6 m spacing; 3–6 m tall (multi-stem shrub) |
Propagation Method(s) | Suckers, layering, hardwood cuttings, seed |
Planting Timeline | Dormant season (late winter–early spring) |
Companion Plants | Comfrey, currants, clover, wildflowers |
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses | Edible nuts; coppice wood for stakes; wildlife habitat |
Pest / Disease Considerations | Susceptible to Eastern filbert blight, aphids, weevils |
Pruning / Harvest Notes | Thin basal shoots; harvest nuts late summer–autumn |
Quick Plant Reference
Care Level: Moderate
Optimal Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Water Needs: Weekly deep watering (25 L/6 gal) until established; drought-tolerant once mature
Mature Size: 3–6 m tall (10–20 ft); 3–5 m spread
Soil Type: Loamy, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Humidity: Medium
Toxicity: Non-toxic to humans and livestock
Beneficial Pollinators: Wind-pollinated; bees visit catkins for pollen
Health Benefits: Rich in healthy fats, protein, vitamin E
Chilling Hours: ~800–1,200 hours below 7 °C (45 °F)
Pollination Requirements: Requires at least two compatible cultivars for nut set
Our Corylus avellana Application @ Tough Kraut
We planted our hazelnut shrub on April 3, 2022 in the center of our food forest. Now at nearly 1.9 m tall, it has developed a bushy form that provides shade for underplantings. We’ve pruned the base lightly and experimented with cuttings — which rooted easily but dried out in summer. Next season, we’ll propagate in pots under partial shade to boost survival. Its growth also opens possibilities for more layered planting on its north side, where shade from summer sun is increasingly valuable.
Step-by-Step Growing Guide
Note: Troubleshooting and FAQ-style tips are woven into each step to help you get hazelnuts thriving in Zone 8a.
1. Choose the Right Site
Select a sunny to lightly shaded spot with good airflow. Avoid frost pockets, as catkins can be damaged by late frosts.
2. Prepare the Soil
Work in compost for fertility and sand if soil is heavy. Hazelnuts dislike waterlogging but appreciate organic matter.
3. Plant the Shrub
Plant during dormancy. Space 4–6 m apart if growing multiple shrubs for pollination.
4. Water Consistently
Deep-water weekly for the first 2 years. Mature shrubs can tolerate dry summers but crop better with consistent moisture.
5. Ensure Proper Pollination
Plant at least two genetically different hazelnuts for nut production. Wind is the main pollinator, but bee-friendly guilds help biodiversity.
6. Prune Annually
Thin basal suckers to maintain airflow and shape. Coppice every 15–20 years if growing for poles.
7. Manage Pests and Diseases
Scout for hazelnut weevils and aphids. Maintain orchard hygiene and encourage beneficial predators.
8. Harvest and Store
Nuts ripen late summer into autumn. Gather fallen nuts daily to outpace squirrels. Store dried nuts in-shell in a cool, dry place.
9. Note
If cuttings wilt, start them in pots under shade and water regularly until roots establish.
Kraut Crew Insight
Our hazelnut is now bushy enough to create summer shade, letting us start new layers in the food forest. It’s a milestone: one shrub now shapes the microclimate for the next generation of trees and herbs.
Photos
Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Hazelnut Cultivation Challenges
Troubleshooting hazelnuts often feels like a balancing act — shade vs. sun, suckers vs. structure, and keeping nuts away from critters. Here are some FAQ-style fixes based on our experience and what other Zone 8a growers ask most often:
Q: My cuttings root but die in summer — what went wrong?
A: Direct soil planting works for rooting, but summer heat kills young cuttings. Start in pots in shaded spots and water steadily.
Q: Do I need more than one hazelnut shrub?
A: Yes, for nuts you’ll need at least two compatible cultivars. A single shrub can grow lush but won’t set a full crop alone.
Q: Why are my leaves turning yellow?
A: Often due to poor drainage or nutrient imbalance. Improve soil aeration and add balanced compost or trace minerals.
Q: Can hazelnuts handle Mediterranean drought?
A: Mature shrubs yes, young ones no. Mulch heavily in summer and water deeply during dry spells in the first years.
Q: Suckers are taking over — prune or leave them?
A: Thin regularly to prevent congestion. Keep 6–8 strong stems and remove weak, crossing, or excess basal shoots.
Recommended Books & Resources
Books
The New Sylva: A Discourse of Forest & Orchard Trees for the Twenty-First Century by Gabriel Hemery & Sarah Simblet
Beautifully illustrated and practical, covering coppicing species like hazel.
The Woodland Way: A Permaculture Approach to Sustainable Woodland Management by Ben Law
Focuses on integrating trees like hazel into resilient systems.
Resources
Agroforestry News & Resources (Agroforestry Research Trust)
Practical guides on hazelnut guilds, coppicing, and nut production.
Garden Weasel Small Nut Gatherer
A professional-grade rolling tool that saves your back by easily collecting small nuts (3/8”–3/4”) like hazelnuts and acorns without bending or stooping. Built from durable, high-quality materials, it’s designed for decades of reliable use and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Tough Kraut Resources
Our evolving toolkit of pruning saws, grafting wax, and propagation gear we’ve field-tested in our own orchard.
Entry last updated: 2025-09-11
This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.
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