The Beast™ Hazelnut Tree
A new release from Rutgers University selected for disease free hazelnut production on the East Coast where eastern filbert blight is a serious problem, The Beast is a cross between an americana x avellana parent and an avellana selection from Oregon State. It is a vigorous upright grower that produces many hazelnuts that are on the smaller side, but can still be eaten fresh. The Beast is used primarily as a pollinizer for other Rutgers selections such as ‘Grand Traverse’, but its nuts are of high enough quality for them to be useful as well. Named for its vigorous growth habit and ability to thrive in colder climates than hazelnuts will usually survive in.
Latin Name: Corylus avellana ‘OSU 541.147’
Site and Soil: Filberts like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Intended as a pollinizer for Grand Traverse, but will likely be pollinated by a good number of hazelnut varieties.
Hardiness: Filbert trees are hardy to minus 25° F. Flowers are hardy to approx. minus 15° F.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting
Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft. in height
Bloom Time: Winter and spring
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 20+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Highly resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight and with a different resistance source than many of the hazelnuts being grown commercially now which should help filbert growers adapt better to EFB in the long term.
USDA Zone: 5