Chinese Hazelnut Corylus fargesii

The Farges Filbert is a small deciduous tree native to China that was named after botanist Paul Guillaume Farges who was an early 20th century French missionary and plant collector.  Although it has been described as early as the late 1800's, its seeds were not introduced into the United States until 1996.  In its native habitat, which includes mountain valley forests, it can reach heights of up to 130 feet tall.  In the landscape, it will grow to 50'.

The bark from the Farges Filbert is its most attractive feature.  The cream to cinnamon colored peeling bark makes this a perfect choice as a specimen in the landscape.

It blooms in May and fruits follow and ripen in August.  The fruits as well as oils extracted from the fruits are edible.  When properly stored in a cool environment in their shell, the fruits can last up to a year.  

An early bloomer, flowers can occur on bare stems as early as March.  The reddish-brown male flower is a 2-4" catkin that hang from the branches.  The female flowers are almost invisible, therefore insignificant.  

Most reproduction is accomplished through seed and grafting, as this tree proves to be difficult to propagate by cuttings.  

Unlike many other trees, this species is resistant to the fungus Eastern Filbert Blight.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Disease and insect resistant.