It is often multi-stemmed with long outward growing branches that form a dense spreading or spherical shape.

[7] It blooms in very early[3] to mid spring,[8] producing hanging male (staminate) catkins 4 to 8 cm (1+1⁄2 to 3+1⁄4 in) long, and clusters of 2–5 tiny female (pistillate) flowers enclosed in the protective bracts of a bud, with their red styles sticking out at the tip.

[3] The nuts produced by American hazelnut are a mast of squirrels, whitetail deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, northern bobwhites, pheasants, turkey, woodpeckers, and other animals.

[12] Native Americans used Corylus americana for medicinal purposes, such as hives, biliousness, diarrhoea, cramps, hay fever, childbirth, hemorrhages, prenatal strength and teething, to induce vomiting and to heal cuts.

[12] It is a medium to fast-growing species, that suckers moderately, eventually producing a multi-stemmed, clump appearance.