Corylus - Filbert, Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, Hazelnut
(Cory'lus)
DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about ten hardy, deciduous, large shrubs or small trees from the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. These plants are commonly known as Filberts, Hazels, or Hazelnuts. Many varieties are grown for their edible nuts, while others are grown for ornament. The most important kinds grown for their nuts are the Filberts, which are varieties and hybrids of C. avellana and C. maxima. Filberts aren't commonly grown in the eastern U.S., though they are becoming more popular. C. avellana (European Filbert) is a large shrub or small, multi-stemmed tree. In late winter, yellow flowers are produced in long, pendent catkins. C. avellana var. Contorta (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) is an interesting, picturesque shrub that slowly reaches a height of up to 10 feet. The branches of this plant are contorted into spirals. This shrub needs careful attention to pruning for it to develop into an attractive plant, rather than a gnarled mess. It is beneficial to leave a few main stems only so that their twists are clearly defined. This shrub also produces pretty catkins in the winter. C. maxima var. Purpurea (Purple-leaves Filbert) is a large shrub with beautiful, rounded, purple leaves.
POTTING: Hazels grow well in almost any garden soil, especially well-drained loams. They are suitable for growing in alkaline soil. Most varieties can be pruned often to maintain a certain shape and size. Pruning of young trees consists of training to a form a single, central trunk and an evenly arranged head of branches. Bushes are pruned to maintain an open center and keep them within bounds.
Filberts grown for their edible nuts should be planted on a northern slope. This is to delay blooming too early. They should be sheltered from harsh winds. Filberts should be planted in soil that is well-drained and moderately fertile. During the first year especially, weeds should be kept down by mulching or cultivation. During dry periods, make sure to water carefully by soaking the ground 8 to 10 inches deep. At planting time, the young tree should be cut at two feet above the ground with four to six, main branches spaced evenly around the tree. Afterwards and until bearing age, pruning should be light and corrective only. Pruning, after the tree has reached bearing age, should consist of a light thinning at the end of the flowering period. Filberts need cross-pollination in order to produce nuts, therefore, two or more varieties should be planted together. The nuts are harvested by picking them off the ground. After drying, they should be stored in an unheated building where the outside temperature and humidity prevail. They will soon rot if stored at room temperatures.
PROPAGATION: Those grown for decoration may be increased by sowing seeds or planting suckers. Seeds shouldn't dry for too long before planting. Seeds should be rolled in red lead before planting in outdoors in beds of well-drained, light, loamy soil, in early spring. Suckers may be detached in the spring and planted as new plants. Seeds of rarer kinds can be sown in pots or flats of sandy soil, placed in a greenhouse or frame. All varieties may be increased by layering branches in the spring.
Filberts are normally increased by layering. Soil may be mounded up, several inches deep, around the suckers, in the spring. By the next spring, roots will have formed at the bases of the suckers, which are then detached and grown for a year in a nursery before being set in their permanent location. Filberts may be raised from seed, though the named varieties will not come true. Seeds need to be stratified in sand over the winter and protected from rodents by wire netting. In the spring, the seeds are planted in a nursery for two years.
VARIETIES: C. avellana & var. Aurea, Contorta; C. maxima & var. Purpurea; C. colurna; C. americana; C. cornuta.
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