Marianne's Response

Hazelnut Tree

Hello Marianne! I loved your presentation last night at Peter Kirk CC – thanks for sharing! My question pertains to a tree that I think is called a Hazelnut Tree, since it grows nuts that look like hazelnuts. It has corkscrew branches and green leaves, and my question is that most of the tree (I actually have two, and they both have the same condition) appears dead, but last year and this spring there are a few small branches that are appearing – which gives me hope that the whole tree isn’t dead. The tree is about 10′ tall, and just as wide, and I am wondering if I should cut it back to see if that gives it a better chance to recover. Your thoughts? (P.S. I tried to attach a picture, but was unsuccessful).

Best regards, and thanks,
Chuck Nelson

Posted by Chuck Nelson on April 7, 2019

Marianne's Response

Yes, it sounds like a contorted filbert and the corkscrew part may have died and now the original hazel nut tree is sprouting from the roots. I would cut out all the dead branches now and see what the new growth turns into. Pruning stimulates growth so the new branches should put on some impressive growth this summer. You are saving a tree, good for you. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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