How Fast Do Hazelnut Trees Grow? A Complete Growth Guide

Hazelnut trees also known as filbert trees are a versatile nut-producing plant that can be a valuable addition to any edible landscape or home orchard. But how fast do these underrated nut trees actually grow from planting to maturity?

Here is a complete guide to the growth rate and habit of hazelnut trees:

Hazelnuts Have a Relatively Fast Growth Rate for Nut Trees

Most nut trees are notoriously slow growing. It can take pecans walnuts chestnuts and almonds a decade or longer before they begin fruiting. Hazelnuts, on the other hand, are one of the fastest growing nut trees you can cultivate. Their rapid growth rate makes them a smart choice for impatient gardeners wanting quicker nut harvests.

From planting to maturity here is what you can expect from hazelnut growth rates

• Years 1-2: Very fast initial growth of up to 3 feet per year. The tree establishes its branching framework during this time.

• Years 3-4: First nuts start to appear. Growth rate slows to 1-2 feet of new growth annually.

• Years 5+: Reaches mature height of 10-18 feet tall and equally as wide. Continues bearing heavy nut crops each year.

So hazelnuts can reach maturity and produce their first nut harvest in as little as 4-5 years. That’s 3-4 times faster than other nut trees. Their quick establishment is a major advantage for home growers wanting nuts sooner.

Mature Hazelnut Trees Reach 10-18 Feet Tall and Wide

Given proper growing conditions, a mature hazelnut tree will reach a height and width of 10-18 feet. They naturally develop multi-stemmed shrubby forms rather than classic single-trunked trees.

Their ultimate mature size depends on a few factors:

• Variety: American hazelnut varieties like ‘Jefferson’ tend to grow bigger than European filbert varieties.

• Rootstock: Grafted hazelnut trees are generally smaller than those grown on their own roots.

• Training: Keeping hazelnuts pruned to a central leader results in a taller, narrower tree compared to unpruned bushy forms.

• Soil Quality: Rich, moist, well-draining soil enables optimal growth. Poor soils stunt plants.

• Climate: Hazelnuts thrive in USDA zones 4-9. Warm zones encourage larger sizes.

Given adequate space, hazelnuts rarely outgrow their allotted area in home landscapes. Their bushy form lends itself well to hedgerows, borders, and small nut orchards.

Hazelnuts Favor a Multi-Stemmed Shrub Habit

Hazelnuts have a natural tendency to grow as large shrubs rather than classic single-trunked trees. This is due to their growth habit.

Unlike most nut trees, hazelnuts produce catkins. These dangling male flower clusters emerge along last year’s shoots. For good pollination and nut set, hazelnuts need an open structure with abundant branching.

Left unpruned, hazelnut branches spread outwards rather than ascending vertically in a classic tree form. Their branches originate low to the ground in a multi-stemmed habit.

However, hazelnuts can be trained to a central leader tree shape through diligent pruning. Cutting out inward facing branches encourages upright growth. But their natural shrubby form takes over without frequent corrective pruning.

Rapid Early Growth Requires Proper Care

Those first few years of rampant growth need proper care for success:

• Weed Control: Hazelnuts hate competition from weeds and grass. Maintain a 3 foot weed-free radius.

• Watering: Establishing plants need 1-2 inches of water per week until root systems develop. Then water only during drought.

• Pruning: In years 1-2, remove inward facing branches and train selected leaders. Then maintain structure via occasional thinning cuts.

• Fertilizer: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring before growth resumes.

• Pest Control: Protect young trees from rodent damage in winter. Monitor for common hazelnut pests like filbert blight.

With the right early care, your hazelnut’s fast growth will translate into a healthy, productive specimen for decades to come.

Optimal Conditions Maximize Growth Potential

To fully achieve their genetically predisposed mature size, hazelnuts need ideal growing conditions:

• Sunlight: At least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is preferable.

• Soil: Moist, fertile loam. Prefers a pH of 6.0-7.0.

• Drainage: Absolutely must have excellent drainage. Avoid soggy soils.

• Space: Allow a 15 foot radius per tree for roots and air circulation.

• Climate: Thrives in cool, temperate zones like the Pacific Northwest. Protect from late spring freezes.

Meeting these optimal conditions allows your young hazelnut tree to maximize its inherent vigorous growth habit and reach mature size more quickly.

Strategies to Control Hazelnut Tree Size

Hazelnuts naturally reach 10-15 feet tall, but it is possible to intentionally restrict mature size. Reasons for limiting size include fitting trees into smaller spaces or increasing nut yields in high density orchards.

Some options for controlling hazelnut tree size include:

• Planting in containers above ground or buried in the landscape

• Espalier training against fences or walls

• Summer pruning to remove new growth

• Root pruning around the mature tree’s drip line

• Selecting genetic dwarf varieties like ‘Yamhill’

• Opting for grafted, container-grown trees which have smaller root systems

Even with size control methods, hazelnuts rarely thrive at less than 6 feet mature height. These fast growing trees need adequate room for roots and branching structure.

Growth Slows After Maturity

Hazelnuts really slow down after their initial burst of youthful growth. Once the tree reaches maturity around years 4-5, vertical height increases very slowly.

However, mature hazelnut bushes continue expanding outwards. Their reach can infringe upon adjacent trees and infrastructure if not managed. Monitor for encroachment and prune to keep mature specimens tidy.

The nut crop also intensifies over time. Hazelnut’s growth energy goes towards producing bigger harvests on established branches rather than new vegetation.

Pruning old, unproductive wood stimulates new replacement shoots and more catkins for improved pollination and nut set. But left alone, mature hazelnuts grow quite slowly.

Let Hazelnuts Grow at Their Natural Pace

Hazelnuts offer the perk of a mature nut harvest in just a few seasons – early payoff for the home grower’s effort. Embrace their exceptionally fast growth rate among nut trees, which leads to compact, highly productive bushes.

With minimal care focused on training structure, weed control, and pests, hazelnuts transform quickly from whips into heavy nut producers. Then they settle into a maintenance groove.

So relax and let hazelnuts grow at their natural brisk pace. You’ll be gathering armloads of fresh nuts before you know it!

Yes, you generally need at least two hazelnut trees for pollination and nut production. Hazelnut trees are not self-pollinating, meaning they need pollen from a different tree to produce nuts.