Growing Hazelnut Trees

Prior to Planting

Details Hazelnuts are a relatively hardy tree and will withstand some degree of adversity and neglect, however, if you hope to get quality and quantity of nuts there are some important considerations to attend to in the planning and maintenance of your orchard, whether you are planting two or two thousand trees.

Site and Soil
Hazels prefer a reasonably fertile soil with good soil moisture but adequate drainage. They will tolerate frosts but established wind shelter is a must. Persistent harsh winds will slow the growth of your trees and hence also affect their productivity.

When planning orchard layout you will need to allow for root competition from shelter trees if a variety such as pines or poplars have been used. Side pruning will be required as part of your ongoing maintenance programme if you use these types of trees. We would recommend the use of a tap rooting tree such as Italian Alder as the preferred orchard shelter.

Tree Spacing and Planting

Details Depending on the variety, allow 2.5-3m between trees for whiteheart variety which are smaller in size at maturity and 4-4.5m for the more vigorous types. Allowing at least 4m between rows with a consideration for the type of equipment you will be using as your orchard is established.

The area for planting should be marked and cleared or sprayed with herbicide. Ripping may be required depending on your soil type. Dig a hole larger than the root ball of the trees to be planted, a mechanical auger may be useful for larger orchard plantings to make the job easier.

If your trees are bare rooted keep them moist and the roots wrapped or heel into your vege garden until ready for planting. No further trimming will be required. Water well after planting.

Varieties & Pollination

Details Hazelnuts come in many different shapes and sizes, however Whiteheart is the variety currently favoured by most orchardists in the South Island. This tree grows to about the size of a vigorous apple tree producing quality and flavoursome nuts of a smaller size excellent for the cooking and processing market.

The trees are wind pollinated from catkins of another variety. At least 10% of your planting needs to be in pollinator varieties planted with consideration to your prevailing winds. We recommend 2-3 types of pollination for best results. These trees will produce their own nuts of differing sizes, shapes and quality.

Common varieties available in New Zealand

Merville
Known as a ‘universal’ pollinator this variety produces midseason catkins, but for a relatively short pollen shed time and has larger round nuts.

Alexandra
Has a reputation as a prolific producer of pollen shed over a longer period well suited to catch whiteheart flowering times in Canterbury.

Butler
Another prolific pollen producer and useful for early pollination. Produces larger nuts and a vigorous tree.

Waiau 1,2,3,4
Seedling varieties developed for Whiteheart pollination to be planted in combination to provide a long pollen shed period and maximum pollen coverage.

There are a many other varieties available but these are the types most commonly planted in the South Island at present. Pollination and flowering times may vary a little between locations and seasons.

Orchard Maintenance

Details Weed control
Either with herbicide or mowing or a combination of both to keep a clean orchard floor, essential to prevent competition for water and to enable collection of nuts either manually or by vacuum machinery in February/March. Other management options to consider are planting grassy strips in one of the new generation slower growing grass seed varieties or sheep grazing for the first few years that your orchard is getting established (heavy duty stakes and secure tree guards will be essential for this option).

Sucker control
Left to their own devices hazels will grow vigorous suckers from the base and form a dense bush which makes management difficult. For best results we suggest controlling suckers by manual removal or contact herbicide and pruning the tree to a single stem vase shape.

Irrigation
In most areas of the South Island irrigation during the summer months will be necessary. The best way to be sure of the moisture levels in your soil is to dig a hole alongside the trees.

Fertility
In an orchard fertiliser requirements can be established by a bi-annual leaf and soil analysis.

Seasons

Pests and Problems

Details Plants will be more disease resistant if healthy and grown in good conditions. Orchard management and plant health are your first defense against disease. We recommend the use of organic fish and seaweed-based sprays to promote plant health. Once trees are established, they tend to be more tolerant to adverse conditions.

Big bud mite is the only pest at present that is a significant problem in New Zealand, this infests the buds at development stage effectively killing it and slowing the growth of young trees. It can be effectively controlled by manual removal of affected buds in winter.

There have also been reported instances of leaf roller and scale insect reported from orchards in the South Island.

In addition we suggest the use of Kumulus sulphur spray at two week intervals starting prior to bud burst for a six week period (3 applications) at a rate of 4 kg/100 ml.

Hares and Rabbits
May also be an initial problem if you are planting smaller trees, rabbit control or repellent may be required in areas with a large population until the trees are well established.

...and finally

Details Each property and orchard will have its own characteristics and careful planning in the early stages of development is vital. We are happy to assist with any queries you may have.

Nutty Facts

Details Historians tell us that the hazelnut, or filbert, has been around for at least 4500 years used by the Chinese and Ancient Greeks for various remedies.

FAQs