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Farges Filbert Corylus fargesii

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kor-EH-lus far-JES-ee-eye
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#disease resistant#wind tolerant#wind pollinated#deciduous tree#exfoliating bark#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#winter garden#salt spray intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#disease resistant#wind tolerant#wind pollinated#deciduous tree#exfoliating bark#humidity tolerant#dry soils tolerant#winter garden#salt spray intolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Corylus
    Species:
    fargesii
    Family:
    Betulaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Landsxape
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Grafting
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Wildlife Value:
    Small mammals feast on the seeds.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    The seeds and oils derived from this tree are edible.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Horizontal
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Nut
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a hard shelled nut which is edible. The 1/2" fruits form in a 2-4" tubular sheath.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Catkin
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Male and female flowers both appear on the same plant. The reddish-brown male flowers appear in the form of drooping catkins, 2-4" long. The female flowers can be found at the tip of the bud and are barely visible.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Doubly Serrate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The large leaves are toothed and typically disease free.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    The silvery gray bark flakes off to reveal tan/copper colored bark, quite attractive.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Straight trunk and often multistemmed with horizontal branching.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Shade Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat