Andrew Hazelnut vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Andrew Hazelnut vs Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Corylus heterophylla Het 1

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Sweet Gale
Andrew Hazelnut

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

Andrew Hazelnut is a northern cultivar that is grown specifically for its cold hardiness. Typically, hazelnuts produce smaller nuts in colder climates, but for Andrew Hazelnut, this is not the case.

This hybrid variety is incredibly productive, growing medium sized nuts that ripen in late August. Pair with another Andrew or Aldara Hazelnut for cross pollination to occur.

The edible nuts can be eaten fresh, used in baking, and will make a beautiful hedge. Andrew Hazelnut is also eastern filbert blight resistant.

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

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Andrew Hazelnut Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 4a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Nuts: medium, 2cm diameter
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: yes
Catkins: yes
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale