The American Hazelnut is a beautiful large shrub or small tree that spreads by suckering into a small thicket, though this can be controlled by pruning the suckers if desired.

In the spring, pale catkins dangle from the tips of branches, and tiny red-tipped buds poke from the branches. Wind transfers the pollen from the male catkins to the female flowers. These are on the same branch, so it does not need multiple trees to pollinate, though more nuts will grow with more trees.

The fruit is a round nut in a hard shell, familiar to many as hazelnuts or filberts, though the American hazelnuts are slightly smaller than the Eurpean hazelnut which is the source of most sold at a grocery store. However, they are otherwise very similar. Clusters of nuts grow sheathed in interesting, spiky-looking ruffled husk. The nuts are enjoyed by squirrels and birds, and any human who can manage to glean any that are left over.

It is a host plant for the Luna moth.