Tree of the Week: American Holly Ilex opaca

Like the Christmas tree and the Poinsettia, another plant that many decorate their homes with are holly branches usually formed into wreathes. The plant is even celebrated in an old medieval Christmas English carol, ?The Holly and the Ivy?, symbolizing the rivalry between the two for the mastery of the forest with the holly bearing the crown. Although the tradition of bringing plants into our homes comes from pagan winter festivals, the holly wreath has come to resemble the crown of thorns placed on Christ?s head and the berries representing his blood. Introduced to the Americas in 1744, American Holly can be seen in many forests from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas.

American Holly is a slow to moderate grower, less than 12? per year, but can reach heights of 40-50? with a spread of 18-40?. Holly trees can live for 200 years, thus the holly has represented immortality through the ages like other evergreens. The leaves are alternate and simple with large spiny teeth, and the berries are 1?4? to 1?2? in diameter, and are very spectacular on many cultivars. The American Holly prefers fertile, moist, loose, acid, well-drained soil and grows in partial shade or full sun. The plant is denser in full sun and very cold tolerant. However, it does not like windy conditions so a protected place in the landscape is ideal. Surprisingly, American Holly can also tolerant air pollution and may be considered in street plantings.

The tree can be used as a specimen planting around the residential landscape or in a grouping as a privacy screen. It does require a male and female for fruit set, usually 1 male to 2-3 females. Pruning can be done in the winter, but hedge trimming is not encouraged as the natural shape of the tree is its own beauty. American Hollies appear to be regionally adapted and it is best to check with plant experts for cultivars in any given area, but some recommended varieties are ?Farage?, ?Howard?, ?Judy Evans?, ?Merry Christmas? and ?William Paca?. Merry Christmas from Quality Trees Inc., and as the holly bears the crown, be sure to crown the ?One? for he is the reason for the season. For any questions, please call Patrick Haller at 931-261-5885.