The UMHDI's hazelnuts are hybrids between C. americana and C. avellana. They have been selected based on consistently high yields, flavor, and kernel quality. They are hardy to zone 3 and are resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight. Click on a location at right to see detailed performance information. Be sure to review the Ordering Information as availability is limited. Join our Mailing List to be notified when ordering goes live.

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​Performance Data
Bayfield, WI
Lake City, MN
St. Paul, MN
​Verona, WI
​Spring Green, WI

​Adventure™ (Arb 7-1) was identified at the U of MN Landscape Arboretum. It has been grown at more than 20 locations and has never had EFB. Expect nuts in the 2nd or 3rd year after planting. Yields are high and kernel size is average (0.59 grams) for Midwest hybrid hazelnuts. 42% kernel by weight, 15mm average in-shell size, 10mm average kernel size. Grows as a compact shrub with moderate suckering. Requires full sun. S-alleles: 6 and presumably a new allele unique to C. americana. Attractive burgundy fall color. Recommended pollinizers are Forager, TrailRunner, and Ice Age. ​It Is incompatible with Cache.

Forager™ (Rose 9-2) was identified at a research planting in Rosemount, MN. It is hardy to zone 3. It gets, but appears to be tolerant to EFB. It grows as a compact shrub with moderate suckering. ’Forager’ has the thinnest shells of the Adventure™Series cultivars with an average percent kernel of 46%. Average kernel weight is 0.93g. The ‘Forager’ kernel is covered with heavy fiber that comes off with roasting or blanching. S-alleles: 8, 19. Recommended pollinizers are Adventure, Cache, and IceAge. It is incompatible with TrailRunner. 

TrailRunner™ (Stap N7-6) was identified at a research planting near Staples, MN. Nut size tends to be large for Midwest hazelnuts but is variable. Average kernel weight is 0.72g and kernel size is 10-11mm. Percent kernel is 37%. Flavor is excellent. It grows as a short shrub that suckers extensively. Recommended for a hedgerow system or grown with periodic mowing to maintain a 12-18” plant width. Attractive orange autumn color. S-alleles: 8, unknown. Recommended pollinizers are Adventure, Cache, and IceAge. It is incompatible with Forager.
 

Cache™ (Price W41) was identified on a farm near Northfield, MN. It grows as a compact shrub with moderate suckering. Yields are high and kernels average 0.58g and 10mm in diameter. Percent kernel is good at 40%. Kernel quality is high and flavor is excellent. It is winter hardy to zone 3 and has had no EFB in all the locations it’s been grown. S-alleles: 6, 16. Recommended pollinizers are Forager, Trailrunner, and IceAge. It is incompatible with Adventure.

IceAge™ (Cuddy 2-28) is a hybrid hazelnut identified at a farm near Maiden Rock, WI. Nut size is on the smaller side for Midwest hazelnuts. Average kernel weight is 0.60g and kernel size is 10-11mm. Percent kernel is 40%. Flavor is excellent. It grows as a compact upright shrub with limited suckering. Attractive orange fall color. IceAge has later nut maturity in the fall. Be sure to wait for nut abscission before harvesting. S-alleles: 12, 19. It is compatible with all other cultivars listed here.