I planted two hazelnut saplings. You need at least two for pollination purposes. It takes 3-4 years to begin bearing fruit. Each season, I prune and shape them. One tree grows steadily; one lags. I risk digging up and moving the struggling tree to a location with better light. I water it every day. It survives the shock of transplantation. I protect the trees with cages. And this year, their fourth in my backyard, the trees show nut clusters. The husks start green and begin to darken as the nuts grow. The husks begin to open. I keep a close eye. Inevitably the squirrels will wiggle their way in and get some nuts, but when they start, that’s when I’ll harvest. The squirrels watch from their trees, and when I’m away for a day, they attack. They get all the hazelnuts. All except thirteen. They leave me thirteen little nuts. Damn squirrels. I hate you.
