We’ve found these sources to be super helpful in our process of converting the hay field into a hazelnut orchard. We hope you’ll enjoy them also!
The sources are listed in no particular order.
Restoration Agriculture by Mark Shepherd – Describes the STUN method and outlines a low-maintenance philosophy for a more sustainable and healthy method of farming. This book will get you pumped up to go plant some trees!
Trees of Power by Akiva Silver – Far more practical than the hippy-dippy title suggests. This book outlines a myriad of techniques for working with trees as well as profiles for 10 of Akiva’s favorites. It describes how trees can be tended to and profited from, while maintaining a rigorous standard of environmental stewardship. I don’t think there’s any book in this list that’s more immediately actionable than this one. It’s a real gem, and easy-breezy to read. If you’re only gonna get one book on this list, make it this one.
The Hazelnut and Chestnut Handbook by Jeff and Dawn Zarnowski – This book is indispensable for anyone who wants to really make a go of a hazelnut or chestnut farm for maximizing profit and maintaining organic standards. Hobbyists may find that the book suggests more investment than is feasible at the hobby level, but it still has valuable insights.
Growing Hybrid Hazelnuts by Phillip Rutter, Susan Wiegrefe, and Brandon Rutter-Daywater – Similar to the Zarnowski’s handbook, this book is aimed at anyone considering a business based on hazelnuts. It’s still valuable for the hobbyist and is a fairly easy read outside of the business plan sections.
Tree Crops: A Permanent Agriculture by J. Russel Smith – J Russel Smith is the granddaddy of the tree crop movement. Every single one of the books listed above references this book at least one time. I would be remiss if I failed to list it here, even though it’s not necessarily directly related to hazelnuts.