Common Name: Chilean Hazel

General Information

Gevuina avellana is an evergreen tree or large shrub with a dense and luxuriant, leafy crown; it can grow up to 12 metres tall[].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild as a food and source of wood. It is cultivated as a seed crop in its native Chile and also in New Zealand, and is often grown as an ornamental, being especially valued for its decorative foliage[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S. America - Chile

Habitat

Wet mountain forests, where it rapidly colonizes cleared areas[]. Grows from the snow-line down to the coast along the Pacific coast of the Andes[]. It is seldom found in groups[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gevuina avellana is only hardy in mild winter regions, tolerating occasional temperatures falling to around -10°c when dormant, so long as the wood has fully ripened[, , ]. The young growth is very sensitive to frost[]. In Britain, it succeeds outdoors only in the mildest areas of the country, growing well in Devon and Cornwall[, ].
Requires a lime-free soil and a sheltered position[]. Requires a well-drained moist fertile soil[]. Best grown in semi-shade[]. The plant prefers sheltered woodland conditions, especially when growing near the limits of its cold tolerance[, , ]. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun but with plenty of sun from the middle of the morning[].
Gevuina avellana has a high potential as a food crop, and is being grown commercially in Chile and New Zealand[].
Seedlings take some seven years to first production, and an estimated production of 3 - 9 tonnes per hectare of nuts in their shells may be achieved[].
Cutting-grown trees may set fruit in 3 - 4 years and reach economic volumes in 6 - 7 years[].
Young seedlings are susceptible to fungal diseases; a survival rate of 30% or less is not uncommon at the nursery stage. Careful management is critical and can make the difference between excellent survival rates (>99%) at some sites and poor rates (<50%) at others[].
Root development is also critical, making selection of appropriate sites and soils an important factor[].
A very ornamental plant[, ]. The flowers are fragrant[].
Plants flower and set viable seed every year at Coleton Fishacre in south Devon, UK[]. In general, however, flowering is unreliable in cool temperate zones[].
Trees respond well to coppicing.[]
The leaves are very variable in shape, ranging from pinnate to bipinnate, the leaflets varying in number from 3 to 30.
There is probably some form of symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil that the plants are dependant upon.
Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked. A pleasant taste, similar to cob nuts[, , , ]. A popular food in Chile where it is often sold in local markets and is a much sought after item of diet[]. The seeds can be used in a variety of confectionery (chocolates, cakes, muesli bars), cereal preparations, roasted nuts or they can be processed into gevuina butter, a high protein flour and a variety of other products[]. The seed contains about 12.5% protein, 49.5% oil, 24.1% carbohydrate[].
The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The seeds can be processed for their valuable oils which has good skin penetrating and UV filtering properties and so can be used in cosmetics, sun creams ec[].

The seedcase is a source of tannin[].

The wood is light in weight, tough, strong, elastic, but not very durable. Easily worked and able to take a high polish, is used for making furniture, oars, roof-shingles etc[, , , ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Presoak stored seed for 12 - 24 hours in warm water and sow as soon as possible in the year. The seed often germinates well but then sickens and dies, it has been suggested that this is due to the plants need of a symbiotic relationship with a soil-borne fungus. Adding some soil from around a growing plant to the seed compost might improve success rates. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts, and consider giving them some protection from the cold for their first winter or two outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Layering - hard pruning provides lots of material.