Beaked Hazelnut (Corlyus cornuta)

Beaked hazelnut is one of the toughest cold-climate nut species, offering dependable production, ecological value, and exceptional adaptability. It’s ideal for food forests, wildlife plantings, and low-maintenance hedgerows, and its nuts have a rich, sweet flavor comparable to cultivated hazels. Its native hardiness and resilience make it an essential species for regenerative and northern agroforestry systems.

Beaked hazelnut forms a multi-stemmed shrub with arching stems and dense growth, creating a natural thicket over time. In early spring it produces long yellow catkins, followed by clusters of hard-shelled nuts enclosed in distinctive beaked husks. The shrub is highly tolerant of cold, wind, poor soils, and dry conditions, making it reliable in northern and marginal sites.

Size at Maturity- Shrub Layer. 10–15 ft tall, similar spread

Current Size- 1 year old seedling 8"-20" with large fibrous roots

Native Canadian species traditionally used for food and basketry; excellent wildlife value. Important staple for indigenous people of North America