Beaked Hazelnut vs Bitternut Hickory - TreeTime.ca

Beaked Hazelnut vs Bitternut Hickory

Carya cordiformis

Corylus cornuta

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Bitternut Hickory
Beaked Hazelnut

Bitternut Hickory is a large deciduous tree that makes a great shade tree for yards and parks. This tree is native to Eastern North America. Although it produces nuts, they are bitter and inedible. Some consider this wood to be the best flavour for smoking meats.

Plant Bitternut Hickory in it’s forever home. It is difficult to transplant due to its long taproot, and may not survive.

The wood is strong and has historically been used for wheels, ladders, and furniture.

Beaked Hazelnut is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub native to North America.

It features smooth, grey bark and edible nuts. Beaked Hazelnut prefers a rich sandy-clay loam but will grow on poorer sites, and can be used as an understory shrub.

Note: You want more than one hazelnut to improve yields.

Bitternut Hickory Quick Facts

Beaked Hazelnut Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 25 m (82 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 13 m (42 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: low


Bark: ridged, durable
Nuts: bitter
Nuts: small, wildlife attracting
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: swamp hickory
Other Names: beaked hazel