If in summer it rains about an inch every 10 days or so, you won't need to use the hose. But if it dries out a lot, you can give your new tree a good harvest. Try to drink about one inch of water every 10 days or so for the first two seasons after planting. Never allow the soil around a hazel tree or shrub to dry out completely.
Irrigate weekly during periods of drought, allowing as much water as possible to penetrate deep into the soil. Newly installed plants require supplemental watering for at least 2 years. This involves regular deep watering and allowing the soil in and around the plant's root zone to dry moderately between waterings. Daily and frequent surface watering is not recommended.
Although the European hazelnut, with its large nuts, is very common commercially, this species blooms earlier than others and its flowers are more likely to be damaged or destroyed by an unusually cold climate. This paper will examine the best combination of mulch and irrigation to optimize the growth and yield of hazelnut trees while minimizing water waste. Hazelnuts need little or no pruning when grown as shrubs, other than the removal of sprouts that emerge from the roots. The European seaweed, also called common hazelnut, European hazelnut or cunet, is a beautiful deciduous shrub that is often found in nature and grows on forest edges, on wooded slopes and along the banks of streams.
Table 1 presents American hazelnut and other species that are relatively cold-tolerant and are resistant to USDA zones 3 or 4 (equivalent to an average minimum temperature of -30 to -40° F), depending on the variety, and can be grown in most areas of Utah. Hazelnuts are somewhat susceptible to a number of pests, such as aphids, leaf rollers, insects that feed on leaves and nuts, mites and scales. If a potential pest is found, agriculture or horticulture agents at the local USU Extension office can help you identify and control. Several acres of hazelnuts have been established in the NWREC to evaluate the effect of different irrigation rates and application methods on newly planted young hazel trees, and to investigate how supplemental water affects growth and yield as trees age.
Hazelnuts are susceptible to a number of diseases, but many of them are less common or not present in the intermountain west. Once the shrub is in the ground, just wait a few seasons until you can start filling your home with the buttery scent of freshly roasted hazelnuts. Hazelnuts should not be planted on grass where grass and woody plants have different watering requirements and compete for nutrients. Hazelnuts thrive in well-drained, clay soil, but they grow in many types of soil as long as the soil is well-drained.
If you want a delicious treat, look no further than this delicious recipe for dark chocolate and hazelnut truffles. All hazelnut species benefit from being planted in frost-protected areas to increase the likelihood of consistent nut production.
