The Botanical Diary
G
Fruit trees

Giant Filbert

Corylus maxima

Hazelnut has been used by humans for around 9,000 years, with evidence dating back to Mesolithic Britain.

Regions
Centre, West, South
Colour
yellow (сережки)
Giant Filbert
🌸
Bloom
February–March (сережки)
☀️
Light
Full sun
💧
Watering
Moderate
📏
Height
3–6 m
❄️
Hardiness
Zone 5b

Turkish Filbert is one of the oldest cultivated fruit crops known to humanity. Archaeological evidence reveals that people harvested this plant as far back as 9,000 years ago in Mesolithic Britain. It originates from the territory of Asia Minor and Southeast Europe, where wild forms still grow today. The 'Trapezund' cultivar represents the result of careful breeding work aimed at increasing fruit size and boosting yields.

This impressive plant presents a striking appearance: a shrub or small tree with dense, spreading crown that transforms into warm golden tones in autumn. Contrary to common expectations, Turkish Filbert flowers extremely early—from February through March, when the garden still slumbers under snow. The distinctive long, yellow male catkins are a true herald of spring's arrival. Nuts mature in autumn: large, thin-shelled kernels arranged in attractive clusters that separate easily from their husks.

In the garden, Turkish Filbert thrives best in sunny, well-ventilated locations. It companions beautifully with other fruit trees—Persian walnuts, apples, and plums—creating a mixed fruit garden. Thanks to its undemanding nature regarding soil conditions and moderate watering requirements, filbert cultivates successfully in central, western, and southern regions of Ukraine.

The significance of this plant extends far beyond culinary value. In many European cultures, hazel represents prosperity and abundance. If you dream of a garden that generously yields harvests year after year with minimal fuss, Turkish Filbert 'Trapezund' is precisely what you need.

Location & soil

Giant Filbert — planting & location

LightFull sun
Soil typeСуглинок, рН 6–7,5
Planting timeOctober або April
Plant spacing3–4 m
Planting depthAt root collar level

Large nuts with thin shells; cultivated filbert variety

Water needs

How to water Giant Filbert

IntensityModerate
FrequencyMay–August
Volume15–20
MethodПід крону

Moderate watering

Annual care

Fertilizing and pruning: Giant Filbert

Spring fertilizingNitrogen (April)
Summer fertilizingNo feeding required
Autumn fertilizingSuperphosphate (August)
Pruning timeПісля збору або навесні
Pruning typeSanitary

Remove root suckers and stems older than 5 years

Cold hardiness

Giant Filbert — winter hardiness & care

Hardiness zoneZone 5b
Winter coverNot required (Zone 5)
Cover timing
Plant protection

Diseases and pests of Giant Filbert

Diseases
Powdery mildew
Pests
Горіховий довгоносик
Garden design

What grows well with Giant Filbert?

Горіх волоський, Apple, Plum