The red stems are distinctive year-round, but are bright red in spring. May flowers produce a small, white berry. In midsummer, blossoms and mature fruits can occur on the same shrub. This shrub is heavily browsed by deer, and the fruit is a preferred food of wild turkey, grouse, quail and many songbirds. A moderate sized shrub that is commonly found along woodland edges, old pastures and thickets.
American hazelnut prefers full sun for best growth and development.
Though it can grow and persist in partial shade, plant density and fruit production are greatly reduced. It is a medium to fast growing species, that suckers moderately, eventually producing a multi-stemmed, clump appearance. American Hazelnut grows to a height of 8-12 feet and with a crown spread of 10 to 15 feet. The species adapts well to a range of soil pH and types, but does best on well-drained loams. The nuts produced by American hazelnut are a preferred mast by squirrels, deer, turkey, woodpeckers, pheasants and other animals.