Hall’s Giant Hazelnut Tree

Hall’s Giant Hazelnut Tree

Hall’s Giant is a productive, hardy, vigorous hazelnut tree grown for large edible nuts^[1], attractive early catkins, resistance to nut gall and bud mites. ^[2][3] and great cross-pollination value for other hazels. It is also listed under several names, including Halle Giant, Halle’sche Riesennuss, Hallesche Riesennuss and Merveille de Bollwiller. ^{[1] [3]}

We are guessing it is called Hall’s Giant for a reason, and that is likely the size of the tree and the nuts. It is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with an ultimate height of 4–8m and spread of 2.5–4m. ^[4]

The pale yellow catkins in early spring are followed by green leaves that turn pale yellow in autumn, before large brown nuts are produced in autumn. ^[4]

For reliable nut production, plant Hall’s Giant with a compatible hazelnut, cobnut or filbert nearby such as Butler, Ennis, Cosford, Gunslebert and Kentish Cob ^[1]

Hall’s Giant also has useful pest-resistance interest beyond the supplier description. A hazelnut-weevil study found Olbrzymi z Halle, the Polish name for Giant of Halle (still a Halls Giant), showed moderate resistance to hazelnut weevil in a four-year experiment. Treat that as research evidence, not a guarantee that the tree will never suffer pest damage. ^[6]

Planting a Hall’s Giant Hazelnut Tree

Plant Hall’s Giant in sun or partial shade. RHS lists full sun or partial shade, with moist but well-drained soil, and says it will grow in chalk, clay, loam or sand. ^[4]

Before planting, water the pot well. Dig a generous planting hole, loosen the surrounding soil, and plant the tree at the same depth it was growing in the pot. Firm the soil gently around the roots and water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the tree watered during dry spells while it establishes, especially in the first growing season.

Because Hall’s Giant is vigorous, give it enough space to develop properly. It can be grown as a large shrub or trained and pruned as needed, but it should not be treated as a compact patio hazel. ^[4]

Other Interesting Information About Hall’s Giant Hazelnut Trees

Don't confuse it with Eddie Hall, he will not likely not like being planting in your garden.

Hall’s Giant has travelled under more names than most customers would ever want to remember. It is known as Halle Giant, Hall’s Giant, Géant de Halle, Halle Giant, Halle’sche Riesennuss and Merveille de Bollwiller as alternative names. ^{[1] [3]}

Hall’s Giant is best treated as the English name for the German hazelnut Hallesche Riesennuss / Hallesche Riesen. German records place it at Halle an der Saale, where it is said to have been raised by C.G. Büttner from seed of Gunslebener Zellernuss planted in 1788; the Oberlausitz-Stiftung summary says it was first described by Büttner in 1798 in Sickler’s Der teutsche Obstgärtner. ^[7] ProSpecieRara gives the shorter version: the variety comes from Germany, is a selection of Gunslebert, and was first mentioned in 1789. ^[8]

Germany’s Bundessortenamt also recognises Hallesche Riesennuss as the main variety name and records many synonyms, including Große Zellernuss, Große Spanische Zellernuss, Hallesche Riesen, Hall’sche Riesen, Pfundnuss, Große Runde, Spanische Nuss, Prund Nuss, Riesennuss and Uriase de Halle. ^[9] So the clean origin summary is: an old German hazelnut from Halle/Saale, raised from Gunslebener/Gunslebert stock in the late 1780s, later known internationally as Hall’s Giant, Géant de Halle and Merveille de Bollwiller.

French or German?
Records point to Hall’s Giant being German first because the earliest origin accounts place it at Halle an der Saale in the late 1780s, raised from Gunslebener/Gunslebert stock and later described in German pomological records around 1789–1798. The French/Alsace name Merveille de Bollwiller appears much later, with the dated Baumann/Bollwiller catalogue reference in 1860. So the evidence supports Hall’s Giant as a German variety from Halle first, later circulated under French/Alsace names.

See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Hall’s Giant Hazelnut Tree

Dear Alan, Our hazelnut trees arrived on the day you said and in beautiful condition. The courier man was very friendly and helpful. I will definitely order from you next time we want some trees. (We still have an outstanding order for November, which I am very much looking forward to receiving.) Sorry for the delay in replying; I now have some pictures to send to you. I hope you can see the trees for the wood!! (Or rather foliage, but it doesn’t make such a good joke….!) Regards Clare Auty 1013