How to Plant Hazelnut Tree

If you love hazelnuts and want to grow your own trees, planting hazelnut trees in your garden can be a fun and rewarding experience. Here’s how to plant hazelnut trees and successfully grow them to maturity:

Choosing Hazelnut Varieties

Before you start planting hazelnut trees, it’s important to choose the right variety. There are several different hazelnut species available, and you’ll need to consider which ones are best suited to your region, soil type, and climate. For example, if you live in a colder climate, you may want to consider planting cold-hardy varieties such as American hazelnuts or European filberts.

Preparing Your Planting Site

Hazelnut trees need well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting your trees, clear the area of all weeds and grass and amend the soil with compost or aged manure. Hazelnut trees prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. You may need to adjust the soil pH with lime or sulfur if it is too acidic or alkaline.

Planting Hazelnut Trees

The ideal time to plant hazelnut trees is in late winter or early spring. To plant your trees, dig a hole that is twice as wide and deep as the root ball. Place the root ball in the hole and backfill with soil, making sure that the tree is planted at the same level as it was in the nursery pot. Water the tree thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.

Maintaining Your Hazelnut Trees

Once your hazelnut trees are established, they will require regular care and maintenance to thrive. Water your trees deeply once a week, especially during dry spells, and fertilize them in the spring and summer with a balanced fertilizer. Prune your trees in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches.

Harvesting Hazelnuts

If you’ve planted your hazelnut trees correctly and have taken good care of them, you should be able to harvest nuts in three to five years. Harvest hazelnuts when the nuts turn brown and fall to the ground. To harvest the nuts, you can shake the branches or use a nut picker. Dry the hazelnuts in a warm, dry place for several weeks until they are fully dry.

In conclusion, planting hazelnut trees can be a fun and rewarding experience for any gardener. By choosing the right variety, preparing your planting site, planting your trees correctly, and maintaining them properly, you can successfully grow healthy, productive hazelnut trees and enjoy the delicious nuts for years to come.