Tree Growth RatesSearch
moderateEdibleNative

Should You Plant Hazelnut?

Corylus americana

Best for homeowners who want a landscape tree that earns its keep with seasonal interest and something extra to harvest.

Hazelnut fits best in yards where ornamental value matters, but you also want the tree to contribute food, pollinator support, or multi-season interest.

Where It Excels

Hazelnut excels in multipurpose yards where a tree needs to be attractive first but still offer wildlife or edible value later in the season.

Think Twice If

I would skip Hazelnut for shaded side yards or spots tucked under larger trees, because it is much more likely to disappoint there than in open sun.

Hazelnut
Botanical plate illustration for TreeGrowthRates.com.
Growth rate
1–2 ft/yr (moderate)
Mature height
8–15 ft
Mature spread
8–15 ft
USDA zones
4–9

Height Timeline

How tall will it be when this yard actually has to live with it?

This table shows the estimated height at a few practical checkpoints, based on the current growth-rate estimate and capped at the tree's mature height.

10-Year Check-In
8 ft–15 ft
Useful if you are planning around resale, sightlines, or future shade.
CheckpointEstimated height
5 years5 ft–10 ft
10 years8 ft–15 ft
20 years8 ft–15 ft
30 years8 ft–15 ft
40 years8 ft–15 ft
At maturity8 ft–15 ft

What Growth Looks Like in a Real Yard

Hazelnut typically puts on about 1–2 feet per year in decent conditions, which is why the 10-year question matters more than the label alone. In practical terms, that points to roughly 10–15 feet of height within a decade.

That middle pace is often the sweet spot for homeowners who want noticeable growth without feeling like the tree is racing ahead of the space.

Hazelnut is a better choice on draining sites than on wet, heavy ground, so the planting hole matters more here than the nursery tag will usually admit.

How we built the estimate

For Hazelnut, we pulled together published growth notes from plant references and gardening sources, then reduced them to a working range of 1–2 ft/yr. That range reflects how this tree is typically described in the literature, not a single nursery claim or one idealized number. We currently have 3 growth notes in the mix, including 0 from stronger sources.

Typical yearly growth: 1–2 ft/yr (moderate).

Our working estimate is based on published growth notes gathered across plant references and gardening sources.

Want to see where this number came from?

barelyrooted.com

1–2 ft/yr

Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1–2 feet per year

Open source

Notes we did not use (2)

NC State Extension

Growth Rate: Medium

Left out because Qualitative-only evidence.

treegrowthrates.local

Seeded editorial growth label: moderate

Left out because Qualitative-only evidence, Confidence score below inclusion threshold.

Growing conditions

Quick reference for the basic site fit, followed by the limitation that matters most before you plant.

Growth rate
1–2 ft/yr (moderate)
Mature height
8–15 ft
Mature spread
8–15 ft
USDA zones
4–9
Sunlight
full sun; partial shade
Soil
Well-drained soil
Leaf type
deciduous

Watch Out

Hazelnut is a better choice on draining sites than on wet, heavy ground, so the planting hole matters more here than the nursery tag will usually admit.

Sources

Direct references used to compile the fields shown on this page.

If You're Considering Hazelnut, Also Look At...

These are not just lookalikes. They overlap on climate or growth profile, but each solves a slightly different homeowner problem.

American Persimmon

American Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

moderate

0.9–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · native

American Persimmon is worth comparing if you want the same general fit but with more eventual scale and canopy.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace

Sassafras

Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

moderate

1–2 ft/yr (moderate) · 30–60 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · native

Sassafras is the stronger pick if your real goal is building usable shade rather than making a mostly ornamental statement.

Shared zones: 4–9 · Similar growth pace

American Hornbeam

American Hornbeam

Carpinus caroliniana

slow

0.5–1 ft/yr (slow) · 20–30 ft tall · Zones 3–9

Best for: ornamental · native

American Hornbeam leans more ornamental, so it is worth a look if bloom, form, or seasonal show matters more than utility.

Shared zones: 4–9

Black Gum

Black Gum

Nyssa sylvatica

slow

1–2 ft/yr (slow) · 30–50 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: shade · native

Black Gum is the stronger pick if your real goal is building usable shade rather than making a mostly ornamental statement.

Shared zones: 4–9

Black Walnut

Black Walnut

Juglans nigra

fast

2–3 ft/yr (fast) · 50–75 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · shade

Black Walnut is the stronger pick if your real goal is building usable shade rather than making a mostly ornamental statement.

Shared zones: 4–9

Kieffer Pear

Kieffer Pear

Pyrus communis x pyrifolia 'Kieffer'

fast

1.5–2.5 ft/yr (fast) · 15–25 ft tall · Zones 4–9

Best for: edible · orchard

Kieffer Pear overlaps well on zone fit, but it gives you a meaningfully different option for size, use case, or landscape character.

Shared zones: 4–9