Even though we have a nice amount of trees in the yard we wanted to plant at least one nut tree. Imagine our surprise when we learned that the Arbor Day Foundation is part of a hybrid hazelnut consortium that is striving to develop hazelnuts as a high-yielding sustainable crop for food and possibly help reverse carbon dioxide levels… Well we couldn’t plant just one hazelnut (also known as filberts). They are just too delicious to plant just one. There need to be enough trees for the birds, squirrels, our neighbors, and us. Besides, the Arbor Foundation is giving three trees for signing up We plan to plant the hazelnut trees along the back fence of our back yard. The yard on the other side is a vacant lot that is overgrown and the hazelnuts will hid the overgrowth.
And these hybrid hazelnuts only grow to about 10′ tall, not the usual 15 to 18 foot height of regular hazelnut trees. But, they spread out. So our eighty foot wide yard will be backed with beautiful hazelnut trees. These hybrids were developed to produce nuts quickly… sometimes within three to four years. And as always… The Arbor Foundation sends the bushes at the right moment to plant in Gloversville.
Added bonus: not only can we and future generations enjoy an abundant supply of high-protein, sweet-tasting hazelnuts, but each year the Arbor Day Foundation is going to survey our results.
Research has shown that the trees in our yard helps the environment, wildlife habitats, and of course our health. Hybrid hazelnuts are a bonus for us because they produce a nut that is high in protein, cholesterol-free, deliciously sweet, and naturally healthy. We can eat them raw, roasted, blanched, sliced, minced, powdered, pureed, or crushed. We can add them to almost any recipe… casseroles, squash, cookies, cakes, and candies. If enough people grow hazelnuts, they could become a main component of a healthy diet instead of a luxury.
Side note: If enough of us choose to grow woody plants (hazelnuts qualify) we could reverse the increases in excess carbon dioxide around the planet. This is the third hottest year on record. Let’s plant more trees and break that record. A win-win for everyone!
Sales Pitch: If your yard has room, we urge each of you to become a Charter Patron in the Arbor Day Foundation’s Hazelnut Research Project. You will receive 3 free hazelnut bushes for your yard. Or become a charter member and order them for a friend. Either way you could have your own lifetime supply of hazelnuts. To join just follow this link… Arbor Day Foundation
