How to Grow Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut

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Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut

Corylus avellana 'Tonda Ricciolata'

shrub

Tonda Ricciolata is an Italian hazelnut cultivar prized for producing large, round, high-quality nuts with excellent flavor and easy kernel removal. This vigorous shrub grows 12-15 feet tall and is one of the most productive and disease-resistant hazelnut varieties. It is widely used in commercial hazelnut production and home orchards.

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Example Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Tonda Ricciolata Hazelnut dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; partial shade tolerated in hotter climates

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Water: Moderate watering; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, fairly drought-tolerant. Water deeply during dry spells, especially during nut development.

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Spacing: 180 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-5 years to first significant production; full production by year 7-8

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; graft union should be 1-2 inches above soil level if grafted

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Peat moss or coconut coir Mulch (2-3 inches) to retain moisture and regulate temperature

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-8, can succeed in 4b-9a

4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

Establishment & Young Growth

1-2 years

Newly planted sapling with developing root system and leafy shoots; little to no flowering in first 1-2 years

Keep well-watered; prune to establish strong central leader or multi-stem framework; remove competing shoots; apply consistent mulch layer

Vegetative Growth

2-3 years

Vigorous shoot growth with glossy, serrated leaves; catkins appear in late winter/early spring but few nuts set

Continue shaping pruning; thin out crossing or crowded branches; ensure adequate fertilization; maintain even moisture and mulch

Flowering & Pollination

February-April (varies by region)

Male catkins (1-3 inches long, yellow-brown) appear in late winter; tiny red-tipped female flowers emerge in early spring from catkin bases

Plant multiple hazelnut cultivars nearby for cross-pollination (Tonda Ricciolata requires compatible pollen source); ensure good air circulation; do not spray pesticides during bloom

Nut Development & Maturation

June-September

Fuzzy involucres (leafy bracts) enclose developing nuts; husks turn brown and papery; kernels fill out and harden inside shell

Monitor for pests and diseases; maintain consistent watering; thin nut clusters if extremely overcrowded; keep vigorous cover crop or weeds controlled

Harvest & Dormancy

September-January

Nuts mature and fall from tree; shells fully hardened and brown; plant enters fall dormancy with leaf drop by November

Collect fallen nuts promptly; cure and store in cool, dry location; minimal pruning; prune to shape/maintain size in late winter before sap flow

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Another hazelnut variety (for cross-pollination) Cover crops (clover, vetch) Nitrogen-fixing legumes Understory shrubs with shallow roots

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring acidic soil much below pH 6 Shallow-rooted plants competing for water Walnut trees (juglone allelopathy) Heavy feeders in immediate root zone

Common Pests

Remove and destroy fallen nuts in fall; use pheromone traps; apply spinosad or carbaryl in late spring following label directions
Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap; neem oil in early season; encourage natural predators
Remove dead/dying branches promptly; maintain tree vigor; avoid wounding; remove heavily infested trees
Prune out infected branches 12 inches below canker; sterilize pruning tools between cuts; use resistant varieties; fungicide spray may help in susceptible areas
Sulfur spray in spring; dormant oil spray; remove affected leaves; ensure good air circulation

Uses

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Hazelnut cooking and baking

Culinary

Tonda Ricciolata nuts are excellent for roasting, eating fresh, baking into cookies and cakes, or grinding into hazelnut butter and flour. The sweet, rich flavor and easy-to-remove kernel make them ideal for both home and commercial use. [source]

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Chocolate and confectionery production

Culinary

This variety is a preferred cultivar for making Nutella and other chocolate-hazelnut spreads due to superior flavor, oil content, and ease of kernel separation. Widely used in commercial candy and confection manufacturing. [source]

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Hazelnut oil extraction

Household

Kernels can be pressed to produce hazelnut oil, a gourmet culinary oil used for salad dressings, finishing dishes, and baking. The oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. [source]

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Nutritional and health benefits

Medicinal

Hazelnut kernels are high in healthy fats, fiber, protein, and antioxidants including proanthocyanidins. Regular consumption is associated with improved cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. [source]

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Ornamental and wood crafts

Craft

The attractive foliage and rounded form make hazelnut shrubs ornamental. The flexible wood is traditionally used for basketry, wattle fencing, and coppicing. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Nuts mature in mid- to late September (northern zones) through October. Harvest when husks brown and nuts fall naturally from tree. Collect daily to prevent ground moisture damage and pest infestation. Spread nuts in single layer in well-ventilated, dry location (ideal 65-75°F, 35-40% humidity) for 1-2 weeks until shells feel hard and papery. Store in cool (35-45°F), dry location; nuts keep 2-3 months or longer when properly cured. Yield typically 50-100+ pounds per mature tree.

Fun Facts

🌱 Tonda Ricciolata was developed in Italy and remains the most widely planted hazelnut cultivar globally, especially in Oregon which produces 99% of U.S. hazelnuts.
🌱 Hazelnut flowers are pollinated by wind, and the male catkins produce massive amounts of pollen in late winter—a leading cause of seasonal allergies in hazelnut-growing regions.
🌱 A mature, well-maintained Tonda Ricciolata tree can live 50-100+ years and remain productive, making it a long-term investment that can be passed down through generations.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cover Crop Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade Pollination

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