Holly Tree Information

The female holly tree produces bright red berries.

The holly tree (Ilex opaca) is a native evergreen plant that has been around since the beginning of American history. Native Americans used the wood of the holly for various purposes, and the berries were used for buttons for clothing. Today, it is a widely-utilized landscaping tree, because it is tolerant of a wide variety of weather conditions and is easy to care for.

Considerations

The American holly tree is native to the eastern and southern U.S. It is most common in the states south of New England. The holly tree does best when it is planted in fertile, moist soil. The soil should be slightly acidic and well-drained. The holly tree loves the sun, and should be planted in full or partial sun. It does not do well when planted near other taller trees that provide too much shade. The wood of the holly tree is lightly colored and not very strong; therefore it has little commercial value.

Size/Form

At maturity, the American holly is 20 to 30 feet tall and 10 to 20 feet wide. It is a slow-growing tree. As a young tree, it is shaped in the form of a pyramid. As it grows, it opens and becomes slightly irregular. Careful pruning will ensure that the holly keeps its pyramidal shape.

Leaves

The most distinct characteristic of the holly tree is the leaves. They are ornamental, and are used in Christmas decorations all over the world. The holly provides year-round foliage. The holly is a broadleaf tree with leaves that are oblong in shape, with sharp spines surrounding them on the outside. The leaves are 2 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. They are dark green on the top side and green with yellowish tones on the underside.

Blooms

The holly tree produces beautiful white blooms and brightly colored fruits. The small, white flowers of the holly bloom in June. The female holly tree produces bright red berries that mature in October and persist throughout the winter. These berries attract birds such as the blue jay, robin, and mockingbird, and animals such as raccoon and deer.

Care

The American holly tree is easy to care for. When it is first planted, the holly should be treated with a slow-release, granular fertilizer. It does not need to be fertilized after this. It should be watered when first planted, but requires no extra watering, except in the case of a severe drought. To keep its pyramidal shape, the holly tree should ideally be lightly pruned, preferably in December, when it is dormant.

References

• UConn Plant Database: Ilex opaca
• University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences: American holly
• Landscape-America.com: American Holly Tree