Corylus avellana are often referred to as the European or common hazelnut. Corylus avellana is a native species of Europe and western Asia. European hazelnuts are often naturally a shrub but are can be trained to grow as trees. The nuts of European hazelnuts are commonly free falling and larger in size than American or beaked nuts. By cross breeding cold-sensitive, commercial quality (larger-nut size) European hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), with American (C. Americana) or beaked (C. comuta) hazelnuts, we can greatly expand the range of commercial hazelnuts that can be grown, as hybrids are disease resistant and well-adapted to the American climate with much better nuts
