VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Corylus americana | American Hazel 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The leaves, twigs, and catkins of American hazel are browsed by deer and
moose [11,24].  The nuts are eaten by small mammals, northern bobwhite,
ruffed grouse and other large birds, and deer [19.20].  Beaver eat the bark
[20].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
American hazel has a fairly high protein and energy value.  Percentage
composition (dry weight) of the nuts is as follows [32]:

     crude protein       25.81
     crude fiber          2.10
     available protein   23.25 
     calcium              0.28
     phosphorus           0.39


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
American hazel has been cultivated as an ornamental since 1798.  It is
also commercially cultivated for nut production.  The sweet nuts may be
eaten raw or ground and made into a cakelike bread [31].  The nuts were
used by Native Americans to flavor soups [16].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
American hazel often competes with hardwoods and pines for light and
moisture [25,27].  Because of shading and agressive growth, it has long
been recognized as a major deterent to the successful regeneration of
upland conifers [6]. American and beaked hazel (C. cornuta) are
responsible for much of the failure of red pine (Pinus resinosa)
regeneration in Minnesota [13].

American hazel can be controlled with herbicides [22,25].

Related categories for Species: Corylus americana | American Hazel