american hazelnut

American Hazelnut Corylus americana
Family: Betulaceae (Birch)
Branching: Alternate

This shrub is not nearly as common as Beaked Hazelnut, and its buds are not as distinctive. But with the presence of catkins or fruit, the identification should be fairly straightforward.

American Hazelnut twig

Flower buds

Lateral bud and leaf scar

As a member of the Birch family, American Hazelnut has winter catkins

A smaller catkin

Bark

Fruit often can be found through the winter