Fruit Bush??

I have a huge bush that is way overgrown and has a lot of dead in it. I was going to cut it out or way back and noticed that what I thought were going to be flowers were turning into some kind of fruit/nut. Is this edible? What is it? What do I do to care for it and help it out?? There are 4 bushes total and 2 have the nut or fruit on them. Thanks.

 

Hazel (Corylus). Keep the birds off with netting and you will have some nuts to eat later.

 

Looks like Corylus americana American Hazelnut. The nuts are edible. Here's a site for more info: http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Corylus+americana

 

Sorry for the double response, Ron is too quick and too knowledgeable!

 

I thought it might be that one. I've only seen it once, at the Finch Arboretum in Spokane, WA.