ILEX OPACA – American Holly

The American Holly is a common medium size evergreen tree growing in the Eastern and Central United States.

 [Elementary School students]

Did you know?

What President liked this tree?

*  George Washington was said to have been a fan of the Holly Tree.

http://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Holly

What part of the tree was used in clothing and for trade?

*  Native Americans preserved holly berries for use as decorative buttons. These were highly prized trade items.

http://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Holly

What is the wood of the Holly tree used for?

*  American Holly wood has been used to make furniture, canes and scroll work. Holly Wood is ideal for absorbing dyes, and is used for much of the black and white inlaid lines in musical instruments and furniture. It is also used for knife handles and black piano keys.

http://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Holly

What part of the tree is toxic to humans?

*  The raw berries of the Holly tree are toxic to humans.

http://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Holly

Leaf:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjV65_Tou3SAhXE5CYKHZSlAtsQjB0IBg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.sluh.org%2Fbioweb%2Fnh%2Fleaf.php%3Fid%3D21&psig=AFQjCNEq-fvCWQv1jvzPtlwdJk9YBDx3HQ&ust=1490380630365237

[Middle School students]

Habitat (where it likes to live)

*  Well drained soils in full sun and also in wet soils
*  Location: Eastern and Central North America  (Zone 5 to 9)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilex_opaca

Requirements (what it needs to live)

*  Water: Medium to wet
*  Maintenance: Low
*  Male trees: Produce berries

Identification (what it looks like)

*  Winter interest – berries
*  Leaf – evergreen, thorny
*  Pyramidical shape helps identify the tree

[High School students]

Habit (how it grows)

*  Height: 15 to 30 feet
*  Spread: 10 to 20 feet
*  Bloom Time: May
*  Bloom Description: Creamy white flowers
*  Sun: Full sun to part shade
*  Tolerate: Wet Soil, Air Pollution

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k640

Berries:

http://www.rarefindnursery.com/index.php/trees-shrubs/ilex-holly/ilex-verticillata-cardinal-american-holly.html

Tree:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILOP

Suggested Use (where to plant it in the garden and landscape):

*  Hedges
*  Evergreen screening
*  Food for birds
*  Parks – Seth Hand Park

References:

1. Wildflower -  https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILOP
2. Missouri Botanic Garden – http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k640
3. University of Kentucky Extension -0 http://www.uky.edu/hort/American-Holly
4. Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilex_opaca