How do hazelnuts grow?

Hazelnuts grow in shells, wrapped in husks, on bushes! Like this: ​

Growing hazels: Hazels take about 4 to 7 years to bear nuts, so do your future self a favor and get planting! We grow hazels about 6ft apart in rows spaced about 15 feet apart, and they grow to about 5 to 15 feet high. 

Pollination: Hazels are wind pollinated. They have little pink flowers that blossom in March, one of the earliest signs that spring is coming. They also have male flowers called catkins that develop in June and remain all winter before releasing pollen in the spring. Though all hazels have both male and female flowers, they will not pollinate themselves, so growers must plant several bushes with unique genetics to get nuts.

Learn everything you could want to know about growing hazels at MidwestHazelnuts.org.

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