This space is optimal for tree growth, as it allows enough space for each tree to spread out and capture adequate sunlight without being crowded by neighbors. The space between the plants within the rows depends on your primary purpose for wind protection. Hazel trees will tolerate spaces as tight as 3 feet between shrubs and will continue to yield good yields of nuts; a 3- to 4-foot space will provide very tight wind protection. However, they will hold up better with more space.
Our general recommendation is to space shrubs 5 feet apart. Spaces larger than 6 feet may not be hermetically sealed, but they will produce good yields. Hazelnuts need 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m). They adapt to almost any soil as long as it's well-drained, but they work best in soil with plenty of organic matter.
If you have time, you can grow hazelnuts from seeds. Plant the walnuts in a 6-inch pot filled with potting soil or in the garden at least 15 feet apart. The seeds must be marked, which means using a lime and tracing a small “bar” on the outer layer of the seed. Although hazelnuts can withstand dry conditions, they work best if you water them regularly with at least 1 inch of water every 10 days.
In spring, hazelnut shrubs produce yellowish male clusters and small red female flowers on the same plant. Hazelnuts are also susceptible to the roundworm, which acts in a similar way to a walnut weevil and poke a hole in the nut shell. No other nut makes sense because large trees pose a dangerous hazard, walnut shells are too messy, and chestnut burrs are too painful for most customers. Another advantage of hazelnuts is that they are ideal for hedges because they form a dense screen without growing too tall or wide.
If you're planning to plant a windbreak anyway, this is a risk-free way to know if hazelnuts are right for you. Nitrogen-fixing plants, such as crimson clover or white clover, or plants that attract pollinators and improve the soil, such as comfrey, are good companions for growing hazelnuts. This is one of the few hazelnuts that can be grown without a second tree for pollination, although its yields may be lower than they would otherwise be. For breakfast on Sundays, when I usually prepare something elegant for my family, I like to cover the pancakes with toasted hazelnuts or chocolates.
Hazelnuts grow quite quickly with an increase of 13 to 24 inches per year, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. He crossed American hazelnuts with larger European filbertas to create a more resilient and prolific producer. So if you've been looking for a good source of healthy food to grow in your garden that doesn't take up much space and that you can start enjoying in just a few years, hazelnut is the perfect option. Although it's most famous for its nuts, it's useful to have hazelnuts on the farm for several different reasons.
If you're looking for a small tree or shrub that's practical and attractive, consider hazelnut. When growing hazelnuts in the coldest part of this range, choose American hazelnuts, which are more cold-tolerant than European hazelnuts.
