This native nut bearing shrub with its dark green leaves makes an excellent back or middle row in a three row shelterbelt. The nuts are smaller than commercial varieties but are pretty darn good right off the tree or baked into breads or cookies.
The leaves turn an attractive orange/yellow in the fall but the winter bark is nothing to write home about.
The trouble with harvesting these nuts is that the squirrels will remove a disproportionate amount of nuts before they are ready for human consumption.
These shrubs grow well in sun to light shade, and prefer well drained soil. Suitable for back of border planting or for screens and hedges. Will attract wildlife.