Botanical Name: Quercus ilex
Common Name: Holly oak, Holm oak
Type of Plant: dicot: tree
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape an erect, single-trunked tree, with ascending and spreading branches forming a large, dense canopy; the trunk and main branches have gray, fairly smooth barks
Height 20-40' (60')
Spread 2/3 to equal
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full or partial sun; grows poorly in shaded locations
Soil prefers deep loam soils but tolerates most except alkaline
Hardiness hardy (zones 8, 9, 12-24); thrives in warm, inland locations
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, alternate, with variable shape, stiff, 1-3" long, entire or slightly toothed; dark shiny green above, paler beneath
Flowers inconspicuous, greenish, in slender catkins
Fruit a nut (acorn); cup enclosed about 1/2 of the nut
 
Propagation:
seed (germinates easily, can become weedy)
 
Usage:
a widely used shade tree or street tree; may be used as an accent tree (for form) if frequently pruned; plant has aggressive root system and is messy Landscape Care: regular is preferred; plant not as drought tolerant as the native Watering oak species
Fertilizing as needed; check for chlorosis in wet, clay soils
Pruning head high when young, develop primary branch framework
Pests/Diseases aphids, sooty mold scale; may get mealy bug in shade
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: Southern Europe
Family: Fagaceae

Notes:
 
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