Corylus americana

Corylus americana is a small tree native throughout the southeast, but less common in the coastal plain. It is naturally found in dry to moist woodlands. It can be cultivated in deep shade, full sun, or anywhere in between; and it prefers to grow in moist to dry, well-drained soils. It produces long brown catkins in the winter, and brown nuts in the fall which are edible to humans and many other critters. Corylus americana works great for restoration projects or as a specimen tree in a garden.