Speed Demon Nuts: Exploring the Fastest Varieties
Nut trees are a fantastic addition to any edible landscape. Similar to other fruit-bearing trees, many nut trees begin to produce fruit within 3-5 years.
Apart from the satisfaction of harvesting your nuts, these trees also serve as great shade providers and boast beautiful flowers in the spring.
However, it’s worth noting that many nut trees are slow-growing and may need more space than urban settings can provide.
Here are four fast-growing nut trees that can be grown in the home landscape.
1. American Hazelnut
Corylus Americana
The American hazelnut, also known as the American filbert, is a native shrub in the eastern United States.
Cooks highly value its delicious nuts for their easy-to-crack shells and small, sweet kernels.
Hazelnut hedges are versatile, serving as windbreaks, visual screens, and wildlife attractants.
If you’re considering planting hazelnuts for their nuts, ensure you have ample space as you’ll need to plant at least two shrubs for a good crop.
Height: 15-18 ft. Hardiness Zones: 4-9.
2. Arbor Day Farm Hazelnut
Corylus spp.
Arbor Day Farm’s hybrid hazelnuts blend the characteristics of two North American native species, the American and beaked hazels, with the European hazel.
Originally developed in Minnesota, these shrubs are expected to yield sweet, tasty nuts in approximately 4-5 years.
Hazelnut shrubs are also highly valuable for wildlife, providing food, nesting sites, and cover for many birds and mammals.
When considering Arbor Day Farm hazelnuts (or any hazelnut variety), ensure you have sufficient space, as it’s recommended to plant 2-3 shrubs for a good nut crop.
Height: 10-15 ft. Hardiness Zones: 3-9.
3. Carpathian English Walnut
Juglans regia ‘Carpathian’
The nuts, which have a mild flavor and thin shells, are easy to crack and are popular for fresh consumption and baking.
Unlike the typical English walnut tree, the Carpathian variety is more cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -20°F.
In addition to its autumn nut harvest, the Carpathian English walnut develops a broad, spreading crown that offers excellent shade.
Height: 40-60 ft. Hardiness Zones: 5-9.
4. Hall’s Hardy Almond
Prunus dulcis
If you’re seeking a small, nut-bearing tree with ornamental value, consider the Hall’s Hardy Almond.
This tree stands at a height of 15-20 feet and blooms profusely in late spring, displaying masses of pale pink flowers.
Although not typically used for commercial production, the almonds from this tree are enjoyable to eat or cook with.
Height: 10-15 ft.
Hardiness Zones: 5-8.
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Which nut grows the fastest?
Hazelnut trees or shrubs are the quickest-growing nut trees, typically yielding their first harvest within 2-4 years after planting.
What is the easiest nut to harvest?
Walnut trees, butternut trees, and heartnut trees are ideal for those looking for relatively quick yields from nut trees.
Pecan trees and filbert-hazelnut trees, while taking a bit longer to bear fruit, are known for their incredibly tasty nuts, making them worth the wait.
Where do macadamia nuts grow?
The macadamia nut originated in Australia but is primarily grown for commercial production in Hawaii.
Some countries in Latin America, Africa, and Asia also cultivate macadamia nuts.
In the continental United States, macadamia nut trees can be found in California and Florida.