American Holly
Arbor Walk #69, Treekeeper ID #3034
The American Holly is an evergreen tree with leathery leaves that are spiny along the leaf margin. It has bright red fruit that is easily recognizable.
The American Holly is most famous for its use in the construction of Christmas wreaths. The tree itself is typically 15-30 feet tall when cultivated, but in the wild, it can reach up to 50 feet tall. It typically has a pyramidal shape, and it is native to the Eastern and Central regions of the United States. In addition, the iconic red, berry-like drupe that it produces is popular with many birds, but it is poisonous to humans. Furthermore, the American Holly is typically planted in groups of 4 to allow for cross-pollination to produce the berries. Arbor Walk #69 is female since it produces fruit.
| Common Name | American Holly |
|---|---|
| Latin Name | Ilex opaca |
| Indigenous Name(s) | |
| Cultivar/Variety | |
| Commercial Name |
Global Distribution of American Holly (parent to the Foster Holly)
Global Distribution of Cassine Holly (parent to the Foster Holly)
GPS Coordinates
N/A
Percent Concrete
N/A
Distance to Buildings
| Year | Close Building #1 | Close Building #2 | Close Building #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Koenig House, 25.22 m | Alumni House, 63.05 m | 6500 Ellenwood Ave., 25.07 m |
Distance to Other Species
| Year | Close Species #1 | Close Species # 2 | Close Species # 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Eastern Redbud, 5.05 m | American Holly, 7.16 m | American Holly, 7.43 m |
Standard Measurements
| Year | Height (m) | DBH (cm) | Crown Diameter N-S (m) | Crown Diameter E-W (m) | Average Crown Diameter (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13.3986 | 12.1 | 7.34 | 8.30 | 7.82 |
| 2023 | 15.37 | 68.5 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.55 |
Nests and Pests
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Insect and mildew filled holes Some leaves were wilted and wrapped in webbing on the underside/edges Some short ivy growing upward at the base |
Leaf Identification
The leaves of the American Holly are 2″ to 4″ long with spiny margins and a leathery texture. They are a deep green and stay attached all year (evergreen). It has an elliptic shape and pinnate veins.
Twig and Bud Identification
The twig tends to be slender and hairy (pubescent). The buds tend to be reddish to brown.
Bark Identification
The American Holly has thin, gray bark that is usually smooth but can have warty projections.
Fruit Identification
The American Holly has bright red fruit that are 1/4″ to 1/2″ diameter. They are drupes but interestingly have four seeds. They ripen in fall and tend to stay attached into winter. Many wild animals love these bitter fruit, but it is toxic to humans.
Flower Identification
The flowers of the American Holly are greenish-white. The males have 2-12 flower clusters on cymes, and the females have solitary 2-3 flower clusters from leaf axils. It is a dioecious plant, meaning each individual will either have male or female flowers but not both.
[photo forthcoming]
Holly ID Tips
- Besides the non-native English Holly, the American Holly is the only species of Ilex in North America to have long, prickly teeth along the leaf margins.
- The American Holly is distinguished from the English Holly by its leaf size, color, and texture. The American Holly leaf is green, leathery, and up to 4″ long. The English Holly leaf is dark green, glossy and quite reflective, and up to 3″ long.
