This is Not a Hazelnut...However.

This is not a hazelnut tree:

This is notable only because, up until today, we really thought it was a hazelnut tree. We bought this little guy several years ago when he was a tiny seedling, and somehow, he made it. We didn't have much hope for him, in fact, we mowed over his brother at one point, but this guy held on. To reward him for his valor, I bought two more hazelnut trees to plant near him, both to keep him company and to cross pollinate him since his sibling was, as previously noted, mowed down.

But that's not a hazelnut. Let's call him Charlie, the Not Hazelnut Tree.

I learned of Charlie's mistaken identity when the two new hazelnut trees arrived today. These are hazelnut trees:

Let's call them Hazel and Hank. Notice the very different leaves. These are two different types of hazelnut, but neither of them have leaves like Charlie. Which makes me glad I thought to get two different hazelnut trees, because now these two can pollinate each other.

However, that leaves us with Charlie.

At first I was worried he was actually a black walnut, of which we have roughly 1248 on our property, and saplings of which I am almost daily pulling or cutting down. Black walnuts are pretty but difficult to harvest, as processing black walnuts involves black dye and vices and very little nut meat; the work to reward ratio is miserable. I want actual nuts I can use.

Here's a closeup of black walnut leaves:

Here's a closeup of Charlie's leaves:

To me, that looks like a pecan. Here's a Google version of pecan leaves:

Alternately, it could also be a hickory. Here's a Google hickory:

I would not mind if Charlie was a pecan! We have two other pecan trees growing in front of the house, and he can always cross pollinate with them. But he also looks like a hickory. What do I do with a hickory? Probably buy another hickory. Boo.

Anyhow, here is what I know: Charlie is not a hazelnut tree. Nor is he a black walnut. But what is he? Please help! Let me know what kind of nut you think we've got. Haha, yes, you are very clever, but your choices are pecan or hickory. Thanks!