Practical
Plants

Corylus americana

American Hazel

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Corylus genus in the family Betulaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Corylus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Wind
Flower type
monoecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - raw or cooked in soups, bread, biscuits, sweets etc[12][2][6]. The nuts have a thick shell with a small sweet kernel[6], they make an excellent dessert[K]. Nuts at the 'milk' stage (before they are fully ripe) are softer and sweeter[6]. The seed is rich in oil. The seed ripens in mid to late autumn and will probably need to be protected from squirrels[K]. When kept in a cool place, and not shelled, the seed should store for at least 12 months[K]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed,

Product or use
Oil
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A tea made from the bark is astringent[8]. It was used in the treatment of hives and fevers[8][9]. A poultice made from the bark is used to close cuts and wounds, treat tumours, old sores etc[8][9].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant makes a good screening hedge[4].

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Maine to Georgia, west to Saskatchewan and Oklahoma.
Habitat
Thickets and rich woods[10][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame[5]. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification[5]. Germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[5]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Layering in autumn. Easy, it takes about 6 months[13][7]. Division of suckers in early spring. Very easy, they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils including chalk, but is in general more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility[3][7]. It does well in a loamy soil[3][7]. Plants are fairly wind tolerant[1][3]. This species is cultivated in America for its edible seed, there are some named varieties[11][6]. This species is of little value in Britain, however, rarely bearing seeds[3]. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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  2. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

    ↩1↩2

  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  10. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  12. Howes. F. N. Nuts. Faber 1948-00-00

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  13. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

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