The Hazelnut and Chestnut Handbook

Book excerpt: It is easy to grow hazelnut and chestnut trees almost anywhere in the eastern half of North America, once you know how. This Handbook has the newest information all in one location you will not find anywhere else. Hazelnuts and chestnuts are amazing to utilize from your yard to a large commercial orchard. Yet, most people don't know they are native to your location. Our native trees have been hybridized for taste, size, hardiness and disease resistance. This book is an easy reading practical approach on how to grow hazelnuts and chestnuts. We explain throughout the book what worked for us and what didn't work, so you don't make similar wasted efforts.Our handbook gives you confidence by:1.Step by step order of items and knowledge you need to get your trees off to a good start. 2.Schedule of when to check on your trees to keep them happy and growing strong. 3.How to avoid problems and what to look for before issues can damage your trees. 4.Where to procure the best items and trees for the least cost. 5.We explain the "nuts and bolts" without insulting you or going into scientific jargon that puts you to sleep. This book was born to answer all of the questions we received in almost 30 years of growing and breeding nut trees from our hilltop orchards, that includes New York's first commercial hazelnut orchard, in the Finger Lakes of New York, we call Z's Nutty Ridge.Hazelnut and Chestnut orchards are an ideal crop for abandoned low cost fields, eliminating social and economic barriers to farming. Generating a rebirth of new family farm based businesses, while benefiting our health, and the environment in a sustainable, synergistic manner.