MARCH 2019 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


Site prep critical for healthy


hazelnut orchards


Intercropping an option as orchards get established


by BARBARA JOHNSTONE GRIMMER


ABBOTSFORD – There was something for everyone during a packed hazelnut session at the Pacific Agriculture Show on January 25.


Attendees included both established and new hazelnut growers, and those curious about the resurgent crop. Thom O’Dell of Nature


Tech Nursery in Langley showcased the new varieties of Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB)- resistant hazelnut trees now available to BC growers. Although the early varieties developed in Oregon were made publicly available, the EFB-resistant main crop varieties McDonald, Dorris and Wepster, and pollinizers Felix and York, are only available under licence. Oregon State University


orchard crop extension specialist Nik Wiman outlined the important aspects of establishing a new hazelnut orchard. Wiman has a strong background in hazelnut research and emphasizes that even though a lot of attention has been given to developing EFB-resistant varieties, growers need to pay equal attention to caring for the trees. “The newer varieties are


blight-resistant, not blight- proof,” he says. “None of our varieties have held up when they were sent back east.” A focus on the resistance


gene Gasaway has resulted in varieties resistant to the EFB type prevalent in the Pacific Northwest. Other modifications are apparently needed to protect EFB types present in Eastern North America.


“BC and Oregon have


control orders to keep other blights out,” says Wiman. “To add protection, growers should spray for the first year. It appears that the resistance mechanism kicks in later.” Oregon’s hazelnut industry


is growing, doubling in size in the last 10 years. Oregon has a good in-shell


market to Asia with larger nuts like Jefferson and Dorris. Recent growth has been in newer varieties with smaller nuts for processors, such as McDonald, Wepster, Yamhill, Lewis and Sacajawea. Deep silt loams are best for


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hazelnuts, and drainage is critical. The trees have a low tolerance for standing water after bud break. “Some producers are using


more marginal lands, and berming the soil instead of installing drainage,” says Wiman. Irrigation is increasingly


important as growers plant on drier soils. Water is important for nut fill, and to keep trees resistant to disease and damage. Double-density planting is common to boost yields, but


See THINNING on next page o


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Oregon State University orchard crop extension specialist Nik Wiman reminded hazelnut growers at the Pacific Agriculture Show to remain vigilant for signs of Eastern Filbert Blight, even in EFB-resistant varieties. “The newer varieties are blight-resistant, not blight-proof,” he said. BARBARA JOHNSTONE GRIMMER PHOTO


BC renewal program opens up


The next intake for the BC Hazelnut Renewal Program occurs in March for fall 2019 planting, says provincial berry and nut specialist Karina Sakalauskas. Victoria has allocated $300,000 over three years to


support growers replacing EFB-diseased trees and those establishing new orchards with EFB-resistant varieties. The first year of the program saw 42 acres planted with 11,282 EFB-resistant trees in fall 2018. These replaced 20 acres with 2,500 trees of EFB-susceptible trees. Areas covered included Langley, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Pender Island. The second year has two intakes. The initial intake will


support the planting of 3,512 trees on 17 acres in Chilliwack, Summerland, Kelowna and Courtenay. The next intake will support a fall planting, and the program will conclude with further plantings in 2020. “Interest is strong, demand for trees and product are


strong, there are new varieties and the potential is there,” says Sakalauskas. Grower resources are available on the BC Hazelnut


Growers Association website [www.bchga.ca]. These include production budgets, tips for growing hazelnuts and sources of EFB-resistant plants.


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