American Holly

American Holly     Ilex opaca Ait.

Mature Size: 40 feet in height, 1 to 2 feet in diameter

Form: Pyramid-shaped evergreen, often retaining low branches.

Where to Find Then: Grows on a variety of sites, especially moist, well-drained, acid soils

Leaves: Alternate, simple, evergreen, leathery, glossy, 2 to 4 inches long, with widely spaced spines along the edges

Fruit and Seeds: On female trees only; bright red, round and berry-like, 1⁄4 inch across, and attached to a short stalk; ripens in fall and remains on the tree over winter

Wildlife use:  Many songbirds eat holly berries extensively, including robins, mockingbirds, catbirds, bluebirds, brown thrashers, and the thrushes.  The evergreen leaves also provide good winter cover.

Bark: light gray and smooth at all ages.