Gevuina avellana, Chilean hazel is an evergreen tree of the family proteaceae growing 65′ tall, native to Chile and Argentina.

It is found from sea level to 2300 feet above sea level. The fruit is a dark red nut when young and turns black.

Uses and cultivation

The seeds can be eaten raw, cooked in boiling water or toasted. The nuts contain about 12 percent protein, 49 percent oil, and 24 percent carbohydrates.

The seed has a very high content of mono saturated oil which is rich in antioxidants and helps fighting cholesterol.

Its oil is used as a sunscreen and a cosmetic ingredient in moisturizing skin creams.

The tree is a good for honey bees. Seed shells contain tannin used for tanning leather. It is an ornamental tree.

The wood is cream-colored with dark brown streaking and is used in making cabinetry and musical instruments.

It grows well in temperate oceanic climates with cool temperatures where frosts occur commonly in winter.

It lasts 5 years to be harvested and 7 or 8 years for full production.

Squirrels and birds eat seeds from the trees. Most of nuts sold are gathered in southern hemisphere’s autumn (March and April).

New varieties of greater yield are being developed in Chile and New Zealand.