Filbert (Hazelnut) History: From Folklore to Modern Orchards

Name Origins & Early Records

Modern name from European folklore: Saint Philbert's Day (Aug 22) began harvest. Roman historian Pliny recorded Romans gathering hazels as food, believed Damascus origin. Archeology: 5000-year-old fossils in China. Wild almonds in Europe/Asia Minor—mild winters, cool summers, moist soils near Black/Mediterranean Seas.

US Nursery History

First US commercial nursery: Robert Prince (Flushing, NY, 1737). Washington visited 1789. Revolutionary War: armed guards protected American/Barcelona filberts. Lewis & Clark returned Northwest specimens for Prince Nursery. Dr. MacDaniels (Cornell) researched at large Ithaca orchard.

Folklore & Species

Alleged mystical powers: divining rods for water, treasure, minerals, remedies. European filbert (Corylus avellana): world's most commercial. 20 ft orchard trees (lower limbs removed). Bears at 3 yrs, 20-25 lbs mature. Requires two trees for cross-pollination. Green nuts → chocolate brown at maturity, release from hull after 6 weeks drying. Clusters up to 12, acorn-sized. Mature late Aug, collect late Sept. Hand-harvested Europe; mechanical US (WA/OR).

American Filbert (Corylus americana)

Native forests as bushes; commercially formed to 12 ft trees. Very cold hardy (-30°F, zones 3-9). Maine to Georgia, west to Missouri/OK. Propagated by dividing clumps. Aggressive—reestablishes from burned forests via woody rhizomes (6" deep). Shade tolerant (1% light). Nuts at 2 yrs. Wildlife food. Kernels: cereals, confections, cakes, holiday nut mixes, soup flavoring, raw, flour.

Production & Health

World: 75-80% Black Sea/Turkey, 15% Italy/Sicily, 2% WA/OR. FDA: 1.5 oz/day may reduce cardiovascular risk (low saturated fat/cholesterol diet). Boston study: men eating nuts 2+/week: 47% lower sudden cardiac death, 30% lower coronary heart disease death.