Hazelnuts are a delicious and nutritious nut that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking to grow them for personal consumption or as a hobbyist, it’s important to know what climate they thrive in.
From hardiness zones to soil types, there are several factors that can impact the success of your hazelnut crop. In this article, we’ll explore the ideal climate for growing hazelnuts and provide tips on how to ensure a bountiful harvest.
So, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
What Climate Do Hazelnuts Grow In
Hazelnuts are hardy to USDA zones 4-9, which means they can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. However, they do best in moderate climates with cool to moderately warm summers. Hazelnuts prefer humid and windy weather when they are shedding pollen in mid-winter, so areas with consistent winds are ideal.
It’s important to note that hazelnuts don’t do well in boggy, waterlogged areas. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Soil that is too rich in nutrients can cause vegetation to flourish at the expense of the fruit, so it’s important to strike a balance.
Hazelnuts can grow in most soil types, but they thrive in loamy soil that is well-drained. They can also be grown as a hedgerow to protect and feed local wildlife.
When it comes to temperature, hazelnuts can tolerate cold and wet winters, but they cannot tolerate excessive heat or a long dry season. They are especially sensitive to drying in windy conditions. Hazelnut trees might produce a few nuts when they are 2 or 3 years old, but they are not considered commercially productive until 4 years of age.
Understanding Hazelnut Climate Requirements
Hazelnuts have specific climate requirements that need to be met in order for them to grow successfully. The ideal climate for hazelnuts is a moderate one with cool to moderately warm summers. They can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they prefer humid and windy weather when they are shedding pollen in mid-winter, so areas with consistent winds are ideal.
Hazelnuts need well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. They can grow in most soil types, but they thrive in loamy soil that is well-drained. It’s important to note that hazelnuts don’t do well in boggy, waterlogged areas. Soil that is too rich in nutrients can cause vegetation to flourish at the expense of the fruit, so it’s important to strike a balance.
Hazelnut trees can survive cold and wet winters, but they cannot tolerate excessive heat or a long dry season. They are especially sensitive to drying in windy conditions. The ideal temperature for hazelnut trees is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit during colder months and around 85 degrees Fahrenheit during hotter months. However, temperatures outside of this range can be detrimental to the growth and production of hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts need at least 4 hours of full sun per day, but in hotter areas with intense direct sunlight, partial shade can remediate too much heat and sun. European hazelnuts are better suited for colder regions of USDA zones 4 to 8, while American hazels can handle warmer temperatures. Filbert trees thrive in all of these hardiness zones.
Hardiness Zones For Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are adapted to USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 9, which means they can grow in a variety of climates. However, some hazelnut varieties do better in certain zones. For example, certain varieties do better in zones 4-6, while others do better in zones 7-9.
It’s important to note that hazelnuts can even be grown in Zone 3, but springtime temperatures that dip below 15°F after the flowers bloom can lead to crop loss. This means that growers should take into account the specific microclimate of their location and choose the appropriate variety for their zone.
In general, hazelnuts prefer moderate climates with cool to moderately warm summers and consistent winds. They are hardy and can deal with cold and wet winters, but they cannot tolerate excessive heat or a long dry season. As such, growers should consider the temperature and humidity of their location when choosing which hazelnut variety to plant.
Ideal Soil Conditions For Hazelnut Growth
The ideal soil conditions for hazelnut growth include well-draining soil that is not too rich in nutrients. Hazelnuts prefer loamy soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5, which provides a good balance of nutrients for the tree. Soil that is too rich in nutrients can lead to excessive vegetation growth at the expense of the fruit, which is not desirable.
Hazelnuts can grow in most soil types, but they thrive in well-drained, loamy soil. Trees grown on deep, medium-textured bottomland are larger and more productive than trees grown on soils that are shallow, sandy, or high in clay content. Hazelnut trees do not tolerate wet soils during the active growing season, so it’s important to ensure good drainage.
It’s also important to consider air drainage when choosing a site for a hazelnut orchard. Late-April frosts can damage cluster buds and succulent green shoots, so it’s important to choose a site with good air drainage to avoid this problem. Hazelnut orchards on steep slopes often produce less than those on more level ground, even with the same soil series types. Tops of hillsides often suffer from erosion, which reduces the soil rooting depth. Orchard sites should be suitable for long-term production and avoid areas that are likely to be claimed for other purposes in the foreseeable future.
Temperature And Precipitation Needs For Hazelnut Trees
Hazelnut trees require specific climatic conditions to grow and produce a satisfactory crop. The ideal temperature for growing hazelnuts is between 13-16°C, and they can tolerate a minimum temperature level of -10°C. Hazelnuts are also grown in different regions of India, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Northern Easter Himalayan, and Uttarakhand.
Hazelnuts grow more efficiently in areas with an average annual total precipitation of 755 mm. The period between April and July is also important for the shoot growth of the plant, and the duration of sunshine provides the structural forming of the plant in this period. Hazelnut fruit requires 60% relative humidity during the last part of the bearing and beginning of the ripening period within the grain filling season.
Hazelnuts are resilient to drought, but reliable hazelnut crops can only be produced under moderate climatic conditions, such as those found in Oregon’s Willamette Valley (which produces 99% of U.S. hazelnuts) and in western Washington. The flowering of hazelnut is completed in the first four months of the year, and it produces fruit approximately in the last months of spring and early summer.
Hazelnuts prefer a cool to moderately warm summer climate and avoid very hot and dry summer climates. They can grow in most soil types, but they don’t do well in boggy, waterlogged areas. Hazels grew in pH levels ranging from 5.5 to 7.5, but better and more preferable is 7 for cultivation. Hazelnut trees tolerate a wide variety of soils from calcareous to acid, loam to clay soils. It will not grow well in waterlogged and peaty soils.
Hazelnut Varieties Suitable For Different Climates
There are several hazelnut varieties that are suitable for different climates. The European hazelnut, or Corylus avellana, is the primary commercial species around the world, but it blossoms earlier than other species and is more likely to have flowers damaged or destroyed by unseasonably cold weather. Therefore, this species is best suited for moderate climates with cool summers and cold winters.
For those living in areas with hotter summers, the American hazelnut, or Corylus americana, is a good choice. It can tolerate warmer temperatures and is more resistant to drought than the European hazelnut. The beaked hazelnut, or Corylus cornuta, is another species that can tolerate warmer temperatures and drier conditions. It is native to North America and can be found growing in areas from Alaska to New England.
For those living in areas with colder winters, the Siberian hazelnut, or Corylus heterophylla, is a good choice. It is native to northeastern Asia and can tolerate temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C). This species also produces nuts with a high oil content, making them ideal for culinary uses.
Hybrid hazelnuts are also an option for those looking for a variety that can tolerate different climates. These hybrids are created by crossing different species of hazelnuts to produce a plant that has desirable traits from both parents. For example, the American x European hybrid is a popular choice for growers in New Jersey and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. These hybrids are resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) and produce large, flavorful nuts.
Tips For Successful Hazelnut Cultivation In Challenging Climates
If you are planning to grow hazelnuts in a challenging climate, there are several tips that can help you succeed. Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Choose the right varieties: Hazelnuts require cross-pollination to produce fruit, so it’s important to choose two genetically different varieties. In challenging climates, it’s best to choose hardy varieties that can tolerate cold temperatures and frost.
2. Plant in a protected area: Hazelnuts benefit from being planted in frost-protected areas to increase the likelihood of consistent nut production. Avoid planting on land with southern exposures in regions where frost may be a problem, as trees on south-facing slopes may bloom earlier.
3. Provide proper irrigation: In irrigated orchards, consider drip irrigation to increase water use efficiency. Hazelnuts prefer well-draining soil, but they also require consistent moisture during the growing season.
4. Use cover crops: Cover crops can be planted between rows of hazelnut trees to reduce soil erosion, improve soil health, suppress weeds, and reduce fertilizer costs.
5. Train your trees: Tree training can encourage a strong tree structure that can support heavy ice and snow loads, making the trees more resilient to winter storms.
6. Consider hybrid hazelnuts: Hybrid hazelnuts hold significant potential for commercial hazelnut production in northern regions. They are generally derived from crosses between C. americana and C. avellana and combine the nut quality and yields of the European hazelnut with the adaptation and disease resistance of the wild species.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of successfully growing hazelnuts in challenging climates.