Western Snowberry vs York Hazelnut - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs York Hazelnut

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Corylus avellana York

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Snowberry
York Hazelnut

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

The York Hazelnut is a high yielding deciduous tree. It produces delicious medium to large sized nuts that are great for eating or making a paste. Known to be resistant to eastern filbert blight.

It has a long bloom season and is compatible with most cultivars, making it a great pollinizer. Try pairing York Hazelnut with Yamhill Hazelnut.

Not all hazelnuts pollinate with each other so it is important to pick the correct pollination pairs. Two compatible varieties of hazelnut are required to produce nuts. Nuts will only be produced once maturity is reached, around 2-3 years.

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

York Hazelnut Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 4a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Nuts: large
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry