is this a hazelnut /filbert tree?

Question: Hi, this tree/shrub does not bear nuts currently, but I've heard I would need 2 trees to cross pollinate.
so my questions are:
1. is this a hazelnut/filbert?
2. what kind of 2nd tree would I need to purchase to pollinate & get nuts?
3. would they BOTH produce nuts or only the new one?

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 19, 2023, 1:27 PM EDT
response: Hi Here are some thoughts on your questions:  1. is this a hazelnut/filbert?  >Yes it is.  2. what kind of 2nd tree would I need to purchase to pollinate & get nuts?  >That depends on the current tree in question. Was it a volunteer/seedling or a named cultivar? If the former, it could be a wild beaked hazel, a European hazel, or a hybrid. In that case, it is not possible to recommend a pollinizer because we don't know the 'S' alleles that determine compatibility between parents.   >If it was a named cultivar, I just need the name to make a pollinizer recommendation.  3. would they BOTH produce nuts or only the new one?  > Yes they would if you had a pollinizer that produced compatible alleles in pollen and ovules (both male and female gametes).  >One additional thought for you: Are you sure pollination is the problem? There is a lot of hazelnut pollen in the Willamette Valley during winter. While pollination is reduced when there is 50 ft or more separating trees, there is a big cloud of pollen floating around in winter. I would expect you to get a few nuts even without a companion plant for pollen. This could mean you have a wild hazel (Corylus cornuta californica) as they tend to produce few nuts. Or maybe your site is not conducive to nut production. If it is too shady you may not get nuts. Do you get flowers? It is easy to tell if there are catkins on the tree during winter and if there are catkins there will also be female flower clusters (some pics here). If you get flowers but not nuts there may be a pollination problem. If you don't get flowers could be the site, the genetics, maybe nutrients, though the leaves in the photos look very healthy.

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 19, 2023, 2:04 PM EDT
response: This is great info.  Sadly, I do not know how the tree got here.  It was at the house when I purchased in 2008.   This tree is in Hood River (downtown) not the Willamette valley, would that make a difference?  There are no noticeable hazelnut trees in my neighborhood, and I grew up around filbert trees as a kid so I WOULD notice.  I love filberts. I think that tree does get catkins and flowers (it’s a rental) and its on the S side of the house, so there’s lots of sun.If I could get photos of catkins and flowers in the future would that help us figure out a pollinizer ? Thanks for your help.JanelleFrom: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Friday, May 19, 2023 10:27 AMTo: jk <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: is this a hazelnut /filbert tree? (#0100764)

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 19, 2023, 2:10 PM EDT
response: One more thought.  IF I do have a wild hazel (Corylus cornuta californica), could you recommend a pollinator for that?Thanks againjanelle From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask ExtensionSent: Friday, May 19, 2023 10:27 AMTo: jk <<personal data hidden>>Subject: Re: is this a hazelnut /filbert tree? (#0100764)

responder: An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 6:45 PM EDT
response: OK I didn't see your location, yes much less hazelnut pollen in your area but Corylus cornuta californica should be present as it ranges into the central Cascades.  Not much is known about pollinizer plants for C. californica, only that self pollen does not lead to nut set. No, flower morphology won't tell us much about the variety.  They just don't produce a lot of seed. But, cutting the plant back and letting it resprout could induce flowering see the following info from the USDA form the section on seed production:   "Top-killed Corylus cornuta generally produce male catkins from new sprouts in the next flowering cycle [46]. On the Cloquet Forestry Center of northern Minnesota, male catkins were produced on 1-year-old beaked hazelnut sprouts, while female catkins grew on 2-year-old sprouts. Maximum production occurred when sprouts were around 11 years of age. Stems stopped producing nuts at around age 18. Saplings rarely flower; typically, plants are top-killed and sprout before first flowering [135]. Large nut crops  are produced about every 2 to 3 years (review by [20]). In Alberta, beaked hazelnut nut production in a quaking aspen/beaked hazelnut stand varied temporally from approximately 13,000 nuts/acre in 1968 to  44 nuts/acre in 1969 (review by [246]).  In a quaking aspen-balsam poplar stand near Edmonton, New York, beaked hazelnut production  was estimated at 6,400 nuts/acre [148]. Heavily shaded  Corylus cornuta stems may not flower or fruit (review by [246]),[35]. Rodents (review by [246]) and hazelnut weevils [269] can seriously depredate nut crops."