Nuts for Whidbey Island 2023

Nuts are an investment in the long term. Trees need time to mature before they will reliably produce mature fruit. It is important to protect the harvest from squirrels and birds.

Hazelnuts (Corylus):

Plant in very moist, fertile, well-drained soil for best results. A full-sun to part-shade site should be chosen for optimal results. Choose two varieties for pollination.

Jefferson

Thought to be the best all-around hazelnut variety for commercial or home growers in the USA.  Extreme disease resistance; immune to Filbert Blight. Produces heavy yields of large nuts that consistently fill out their shells. An Oregon State University introduction. Pollinated by Theta.

Theta

Bigger than other varieties with delicious buttery flavor that is perfect for both savory and sweet recipes. Exhibits good resistance to pests and exceptional resistance to Eastern Filbert Blight. Recent blight resistant release from OSU. Late pollinator for Jefferson Hazelnut. Small to medium sized nuts.

York

York produces medium-sized, round nuts good for eating or for making paste. It is a mid-season pollinizer with a long bloom season, compatible with most cultivars, including Theta, Jefferson and Yamhill. It is highly resistant to Eastern Filbert Blight, bud mite, and has a low incidence of kernel mold. and produces round medium-sized nuts.

Walnuts:

Cascade

Manregian x Russian. Thin shell, excellent buttery flavor firm, plump, light colored kernels. Fast growing, large tree. Self-fertile but much better with a pollinizer (different variety).