Using annual branch of hazel as the experimental materials, the K+-leakage and relative electric conductivity of three hazel species (six hazel clones) which had been treated with different low temperature were determined by electro-conductivity gauge and atomic absorption spectrometry. Regression models were established for low temperature to the K+ -leakage or the relative electric conductivity of six hazel clones. The results showed that there was the same result of cold resistance for all clones using the two methods of comprehensive evaluation, and the indicator of K+ -leakage rate determined by atomic absorption spectrometry can be used as a means of early identification of cold resistance of hazel clones. There were obvious differences among the clones in the ability of cold resistance. The order of the ability of cold resistance for the six hazel clones was C7R7＞Z-9-40＞C6R1＞CS2R1＞Z-9-22＞Z-9-30, and the order of the ability of cold resistance for the three hazel species was C. heterophylla ＞C. heterophylla×(C. heterophylla×C. avellana)＞C.heterophylla×C.avellana. The median lethal temperature of tissue for all clones is －26-－40 ℃.