Butternut (White Walnut) vs American Hazelnut/Filbert
Juglans cinerea
Corylus americana
Butternut is one of the few walnut varieties native to Canada. The nuts are sought after for their mild, sweet, and oily taste. Ensure this tree is planted in full sun and well-drained soil for best results.
Butternut is self-fertile but it has better yields when planted near other butternuts. It can survive in zone 2, but reliably produces nuts in zone 3.
A top CO2 absorbing species. Experts think this tree may help climate change more than others.
American Hazelnut is a cold hardy, disease resistant, and long-lived nut tree. It is a great choice for a shrub border for wide, open spaces where it will be allowed to spread. Typically used in naturalization projects for its spreading nature, American Hazelnut is ideal for our zone 4 customers.
If you're a zone 3 prairie customer, don't worry! American Hazelnut can still thrive but needs additional care and protection from our harsh prairie climate.
The edible nuts mature from September to October and are usually roasted or eaten fresh. Make sure you take time to notice American Hazelnut's variable and beautiful fall color that ranges from orange, rose, purplish-red, yellow, and green.
Note: You want more than one hazelnut to improve yields.