FILBERT

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• A member of the same family as the Birch (Betulaceae), filberts and/or hazelnuts might be best known for the nuts they produce, but there are several species grown for ornamental purposes. All are deciduous.
   
• The filbert is grown as a tree crop, Corylus maxima, grows 15-25 feet. A nice structure that needs little pruning, but suckers might need to be removed regularly. Rounded leaves with ruffled edges, and showy male catkins hanging on the bare branches throughout the winter make it a good small landscape tree with a bonus of edible nuts. C.m. 'pupurea' is an ornamental cultivar grown for its purple leaves.
   
• The Turkish Filbert, C. colurna, is a good street and park tree, growing to 80 feet. Its very cold - hardy, taking temperatures to -30 degrees F. Dark green foliage and a corky bark add interest.
   
• Shrubby ornamental filberts include
  • Western Hazelnut, C. cornuta californica.
    Harry Lauder's Walking Stick, C. avellana 'Contorta'
    Japanese Hazelnut, C. Sieboldiana