Troubleshooting
Turkish Hazel problems — and how to fix them
Turkish Hazel (Corylus colurna) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Slow establishment
Turkish hazel is slow to start and may sit for a year or two after planting before accelerating. This is normal; keep it watered and avoid disturbing the roots.
Small, hard-shelled nuts
Nuts are smaller and thicker-shelled than orchard filberts, so it is grown more as a shade and street tree than a commercial nut producer.
Eastern filbert blight (variable)
More resistant than European filbert but not immune; it is sometimes used as blight-resistant breeding stock. Monitor for stem cankers where the disease occurs.
Squirrels and nut weevil
As with other hazels, squirrels and hazelnut weevil larvae take a share of the crop; the tree's size simply makes losses less noticeable.
Prevent turkish hazel problems before they start
Most turkish hazel issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for turkish hazel in general rather than its problems? Read the full turkish hazel care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Turkish Hazel problems — FAQ
Why is my turkish hazel slow establishment?
Turkish hazel is slow to start and may sit for a year or two after planting before accelerating. This is normal; keep it watered and avoid disturbing the roots.
Why is my turkish hazel small, hard-shelled nuts?
Nuts are smaller and thicker-shelled than orchard filberts, so it is grown more as a shade and street tree than a commercial nut producer.
Why is my turkish hazel eastern filbert blight (variable)?
More resistant than European filbert but not immune; it is sometimes used as blight-resistant breeding stock. Monitor for stem cankers where the disease occurs.
Why is my turkish hazel squirrels and nut weevil?
As with other hazels, squirrels and hazelnut weevil larvae take a share of the crop; the tree's size simply makes losses less noticeable.