North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Vance Wilson <vancewilson@gmail.com>]

> Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2012 23:58:30 -0400
> From: Ginda Fisher <list@ginda.us>
> Subject: [nafex] off-topic: Hazelnuts
> To: NAFEX Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Message-ID: <FCF3BA2A-6865-419E-BA56-CF394B674C45@ginda.us>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=us-ascii
>
> Does anyone have experience with Badgersett hazel nuts? They aren't really 
> fruits, so it might be best to answer off-list. I am in eastern MA, zone 6, 
> and have a lot of granite ledge. I am wondering if they might be nice for 
> the shrubby border between my property and the next one over. I doubt 
> they'd get enough light to put out much of a crop, but I have an abundance 
> of squirrels, so even if they did, I wouldn't harvest many. If I got a nut 
> from time to time, it would be fun. I was thrilled with my harvest of 3 
> dozen apples this year, from a mature tree that is usually stripped by 
> squirrels before the fruits ripen.
>
> (I live 1/3 acre in suburbia, and have little kids nearby. Shooting 
> squirrels is not an option.)
>
> thanks,
> Ginda

Ginda,

I've purchased several dozen hazels from Badgersett in the form of
tubelings.  This product is fine IF you baby them with regular
irrigation, weeding, and fencing from rabbits and deer for at least
one year.  Otherwise you could lose half or more to the elements.  The
quality of nuts is somewhat better than the cheaper hazels I've
planted, but it's not an incredible difference.  If you are only
planting a few hazels, and you want highest quality hazelnuts, then I
recommend buying cloned plants from Ernie Grimo
(http://www.grimonut.com/).

American hazels are a wonderful, hardy, indestructible plant once they
are established, and the nuts are fabulous (if a bit small).  Now that
I've told you that part, I should mention that only your squirrels
will enjoy your hazelnuts unless you completely fence them.

Good luck!

Vance Wilson

Sheboygan County, WI - Zone 5