Skip to content
IIIFolio · plant profile№ 7A11edible
Data provenancePermapeopleTrefleWikipediaPFAFPOWOreviewed 18 Oct 2026methodology → read

American Hazel

Corylus americana
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
edibletreesedibleedible seedshrub
Updated·Quick Q&A →
Garden journal pausedUse profile notes below
Corylus americana (American Hazel) — botanical photograph
Pl. 7A11 — Corylus americana
Corylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americanaCorylus americana
I

Overview

American Hazel (Corylus americana) is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada, ranging from Alabama to Wisconsin. This plant thrives in various soil types, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Hardy in zones 4-8, American Hazel can grow up to 3 meters tall and is valued for its edible seeds, which serve as a valuable food source. Its distinctive appearance and ecological benefits make it a suitable ornamental addition to gardens. American Hazel is also useful for hedgerows and can produce oil from its seeds. While primarily known for its edible and ornamental uses, it is important to note that no medicinal claims are supported by the provided data. This shrub is native to regions such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode Island, Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Its adaptability to different soil types and its ability to grow in both full sun and partial shade make it a versatile plant for various landscaping purposes.

Quick answers

What is American Hazel?

American Hazel (Corylus americana) is a deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada, ranging from Alabama to Wisconsin. This plant thrives in various soil types, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils, and prefers full sun to partial shade.

Growingconditions · propagation · uses
V

Cultivation

American Hazel thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 4-8 and grows up to 3 meters tall. For propagation, seeds are the recommended method. Ensure the planting site has adequate moisture and well-draining conditions for best results.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Mature size
3.0 m tall
For first-time growers

How to grow American Hazel for the first time

8steps

Start with American Hazel as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.

  1. 1

    What you'll need

    Seeds or seedlings, gardening gloves, trowel.

  2. 2

    Best time to plant

    Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.

  3. 3

    Soil and container prep

    Choose a location with moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soil. Ensure good drainage.

  4. 4

    Sowing or transplanting

    Direct sow seeds in fall or start them indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings in spring.

  5. 5

    First two weeks

    Water regularly to keep soil moist. Monitor for pests and diseases.

  6. 6

    Ongoing care

    Provide full sun to partial shade, water when dry, and mulch around the base.

  7. 7

    Harvest or pruning

    Prune in late winter before new growth starts to maintain shape and remove dead branches.

  8. 8

    Common mistakes

    Overwatering, planting in too sunny a spot, neglecting to prune.

VI

Edible & utility

Edible parts:Seed
Edible uses: Oil
Other uses:Hedgerowoil
Contextrange · companions · related
VII

Distribution

41 native · 0 introduced
Distribution across1 continent· 41 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin
IX

Specimen gallery

1 image
Corylus americana (American Hazel) — botanical photograph
American Hazel (Corylus americana)
XI

Explore further

XII

About this entry

Last updated
Citation
How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · 7a111154-448c-4024-b593-e74aca9f9def
Decision aid
Choosing between American Hazel and something else?
Compare with another plant

Continue reading

❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates

Get archive updates

Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.

Newsletter returning soon.
We are rebuilding the update list around a lightweight editorial workflow. New dispatches will resume after the next content review cycle.
iCare notes