Filbert trees, also known as hazelnuts, are great for small gardens. They are tough and can grow in many USDA hardiness zones, from 5 to 9. This makes them perfect for many areas. With the right type and spot, you can have a filbert tree in your garden, even if it's small.
Introduction to Filbert Trees
Filberts, also known as hazelnuts, are a type of tree that produces sweet, edible nuts. These deciduous, tree-like shrubs have an unusual look. They grow flowers before their leaves in spring. Both male and female flowers are on each filbert tree, with the male catkins and less noticeable female flowers later producing the nuts.
Filbert trees are adaptable and can grow in many places. The American hazelnut (Corylus americana) is a common type. These hardy plants can live in USDA Zones 4-9, growing 15 feet tall and wide. They like full sun to partial shade and do well on various soil types and pH levels.
| Filbert Tree Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Commercial Lifespan | Usually about 40 years |
| Rooting Success Rate | 20-50% for rooted cuttings |
| Planting Distance | 6 m (20 ft) apart |
| Nut Production Start | 2-3 years after planting |
| Full Nut Production | Up to 25 years after planting |
| Harvest Frequency | 2-3 times per season |
Filbert trees are usually hardy but can face diseases and pests. Some common issues include:
- Eastern filbert blight, a serious disease favored by wet weather
- Bacterial blight, which can cause dieback and water-soaked areas
- Bacterial canker, leading to bud failure in spring
- Hazelnut mosaic disease, causing leaf yellowing
- Pests like filbertworm, acorn moth, and nut weevil damaging nuts and buds
Filbert trees are a versatile and rewarding choice for gardeners and orchardists. With proper care, these shrubs can thrive and provide bountiful harvests for decades.
Choosing the Right Filbert Tree Variety
Choosing the right filbert tree is key for a small garden. They vary in size, from 6-10 feet tall and wide to 12-15 feet tall and wide. Also, they need another tree nearby to pollinate and produce nuts.
Make sure the pollinator tree is within 50 feet of the main tree without any barriers. Think about the tree's size and pollination needs when picking one for your garden.
Breeders have created blight-resistant filbert tree types perfect for small gardens. These include:
- Jefferson, Lewis, Clark, Santiam, Yamhill, Dorris, and Theta from Oregon State University (OSU)
- CR x R11P10, CR x RO3P26, CR x R06P56, Yamhill, and Graham from Rutgers University
Some OSU varieties may be prone to blight in certain areas. But Rutgers University's CR x RO3P26 has shown to be the best in yield and nut size. Gellatly, Halls Giant, and Tonda di Giffoni are also good but can be affected by blight.
New filbert tree types like MacDonald (OSU), Truxton, and Geneva are being tested. They might offer more size and resistance to blight in the future.
| Variety | Blight Resistance | Nut Size | Yield Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson, Lewis, Clark, Santiam, Yamhill, Dorris, Theta | Resistant | Varies | Varies |
| CR x R11P10, CR x RO3P26, CR x R06P56, Yamhill, Graham | Resistant | Good | CR x RO3P26: Heaviest |
| Gellatly, Halls Giant, Tonda di Giffoni | Susceptible | Large, Tasty | N/A |
| MacDonald, Truxton, Geneva | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Planting and Growing Filbert Trees
Planting and growing filbert trees requires some key tips. These trees love full sun, needing at least 8 hours of sunlight daily. They do well on many soil types but prefer soil that drains well and is rich, with a pH of 6.3-6.8.
Before planting, prepare the soil by adding organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Place the tree at the same depth it was in the nursery. You can also grow filbert trees from seed, but this takes 7 years or more to produce nuts.
Make sure to give enough space for the tree and its roots to grow. Hazelnut trees need 16 to 20 feet of space between each other for best growth. Pruning new bare root trees helps them grow strong and healthy.
For planting filbert trees and growing filbert trees, proper care is crucial. Water them regularly, especially when it's dry. Also, give them a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer in early spring to keep them healthy and productive.
| Filbert Tree Planting and Growing Guidelines |
|---|
|
Caring for Your Filbert Tree
Proper care is key for the health and productivity of filbert trees. It's important to water them deeply and regularly. Aim to give them about 1 inch of water each week over the root area. This helps them grow well.
Fertilizing filbert trees with a balanced, slow-release product or compost is good for growth. Do this in late winter to early summer to avoid new growth that might be weak. If your tree seems slow-growing or its leaves look pale, a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer in the spring might help.
Pruning filbert trees is usually minimal. But, removing the oldest, heaviest canes in late winter can help. This keeps the tree healthy and productive. With the right care, filbert trees will do well and give you lots of nuts each year.
| Filbert Tree Care Practices | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Watering | Provide 1 inch of water per week over the root zone, especially during dry spells |
| Fertilizing | Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost in late winter to early summer |
| Pruning | Remove oldest, heaviest canes in late winter to reinvigorate the plant |
Pests, Diseases, and Other Challenges
Filbert trees are usually tough and easy to care for. But, they can face pests and diseases that gardeners should watch out for. The main worry is eastern filbert blight, a fungal disease that can kill trees fast.
This disease shows up as twig and stem dieback, with lines of small bumps on the bark. To fight it, use resistant filbert tree types and spray Bordeaux or fixed copper sprays from early spring to bud swell. Also, check your trees often and cut out any infected branches to stop the fungus from spreading.
Other than eastern filbert blight, filbert trees might get hurt by deer, birds, and some insects like leaf beetles, aphids, and moth caterpillars. These pests can make trees look bad but usually don't do much harm. Choosing the right filbert tree for your area helps keep them safe.
Other issues filbert trees might face include leaf spot, powdery mildew, leaf scorch, cankers, and sooty mold. Knowing about these filbert tree pests and diseases helps gardeners keep their trees healthy and strong.
| Pest or Disease | Symptoms | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf Spot | Leaf curl | Can affect different trees |
| Leafroller | Rolled and skeletonized leaves | Insect damage |
| Powdery Mildew | Whitish-gray mold on leaves or nuts | Can lower nut quality |
| Aphids | Cluster on stems, size of a pinhead | Suck plant juices |
| Leaf Scorch | Yellowing or darkening of leaves between veins | Looks bad but not harmful |
| Eastern Filbert Blight | Black sores on trees, leading to dieback | Can kill the tree |
| Canker | Dead bark or branches, wood decay | Can damage the tree's structure |
| Sooty Mold | Fungal growth on leaves, branches, and nuts | Looks bad but not harmful |
| Hazelnut Mosaic | Abnormal ring spots and line patterns on older leaves | Looks bad but not harmful |
| Tent Caterpillars | Hairy caterpillars in webbing, eating leaves | Can defoliate the tree |
| Filbertworm | Moth larvae eating nut kernels | Can reduce nut yield and quality |
Knowing about these filbert tree pests and diseases helps gardeners keep their trees healthy and strong.
Conclusion
Growing filbert trees, also known as American hazelnuts, is rewarding for small gardens. Choosing the right variety and giving them the right conditions leads to a yearly harvest of tasty, healthy nuts. Filbert trees need special care for pollination and fighting diseases but are easy to keep up with.
These trees can grow in many climates, from USDA Zones 4 to 9. They can get 10-15 feet tall and spread 8-12 feet wide. They grow about 1-2 feet each year. Gardeners wanting to add something new and useful to their garden should think about filberts.
There are many good things about growing filbert trees. They give a steady supply of tasty nuts, look nice with their flowers and many stems, and grow well in different soils and conditions. With the right care, including planting, looking after them, and controlling pests, filbert trees can be a great addition to small gardens.
