Plant Name:  Holly Oak

Botanical Name:  Quercus ilex

Origin: Native to Mediterranean regions.

Height/Physical Description:  Evergreen, 30 to 60 feet in height and width.  Dense, rounded canopy with smooth dark gray bark.  Leaves are usually smooth with prickly edges, dark green on top and gray or yellow hairs underneath.  

Special Attributes:  This tree is an evergreen and produces 1-1½ inch acorns nestled in a deep cap.  Tolerates salt air.  Fast grower in inland areas.

Purchasing:  Private nurseries and online.

Planting Requirements: No special soil is required except to have good drainage.  Plant in Fall or Winter to allow tree to get established.  

Watering:  Young trees require a moderate amount of water until established especially between the months of March through May to support the tree’s new growth.  Do not water next to the base of the tree as this could result in root diseases.  Water only over the outer third of the root system to encourage roots to grow outward.  

Fertilizing:  Compost can be added but away from the base of the tree.

Harvesting:  Acorns form and can be harvested in the Fall.

Pruning:  Periodic grooming may be required to remove dead or cross branches.  Prune trees only when they are dormant.  For deciduous trees, prune when leaves have completely dropped off; for evergreens, prune during the dry season (mid to late Summer) to avoid mildew and fungal diseases.

Diseases/Pests:  The following are common diseases that can occur in all oak trees:  oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea) and sudden oak death (phytophthora ramorum).  Pests:  oak moths, galls, mitesl.

Additional Information:  Holly Oak can be susceptible to sudden oak disease.  Sunset growing zones 4-24.