Ilex aquifolium

Holly

Physical Traits & Growth

Typical max. heightiMaximum height in typical conditions, in metres. Full data also shows maximum achievable height in exceptional conditions.:
25m 1
15m 5
Typically up to 10m, rarely to 23m 6
22m 7

Max. canopy widthiLikely maximum horizontal width of the canopy, in metres:
Conical to ovoid crown 1
Conical 3
4-8m wide 2

Size of shadowiSize of shadow based on a fully grown tree, categorised as low, medium or high: Low (138 sqm)

Canopy densityiShading intensity of the canopy when in full leaf. Categorised from open to dense.: Dense 1

Leaf emergenceiTime of leaf emergence, categorised as very early, early, late, or evergreen: Evergreen 1

Growth rateiHow quickly the tree grows during establishment. Categorised as low, moderate or high, with very high used in exceptional cases.: Low 37 to moderate 19

LongevityiExpected lifespan of the tree:
Very long-lived 6
Potentially 200+ years 3

Management & Systems

Approach to silvicultureiCoppicing and pollarding ability: Can be coppiced or pollarded at 2-3m at any age 3

Establishment requirementsiCommon requirements to establish the tree: Requires protection from browsing 3 and good soil moisture 10

Management requirementsiCommon long-term management needs such as pruning. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Minimal or no pruning, or can be cut as a hedge in early spring 1

Pruning timeiOptimal season for pruning: Winter (mid to late) 1

Ilex aquifolium/ Bee Happy Plants & Seeds

Products & Economy

Food productsiCommon food products such as fruits and nuts: –

Wood productsiCommon wood products, including timber, turnery, and pulp:
Little economic value currently, but can be used for turnery and furniture 2
Max YC 4 4

BiomassiCommon biomass products such as fuelwood: Fuelwood, even when green 2

Speciality productsiOther speciality and niche products: –

Time until market (food)iNumber of years until the tree produces food products: –

Time until market (timber)iNumber of years until the tree produces wood products: Unknown

Ecology & Utility

Nutrient and organic matter accumulationiRough estimate of soil-improving properties, with larger and deeper-rooting trees predicted to have higher value. Categorised as low, moderate or high.: Low – small canopy area

Nitrogen fixationiNitrogen-fixing properties, categorised as yes or no: No

High carbon sequestrationiAll trees sequester carbon, but faster-growing, larger trees generally have higher sequestration potential.:
Short-term (20 years): Relatively low
Medium-term (40 years): Very low
Long-term (60 years): Very low

Native status in the UKiCategorised as native, long-established, or recent introduction.: Native 1

High wildlife valueiMost trees are likely to be of some value to wildlife, but some trees are of generally higher value to various wildlife groups:
Relatively low 5
Highest value for pollen and nectar 5

Pollinators

Flowering period (pollinator benefit)iTypical flowering months: May-Aug 1 or from Apr 3

High pollen and nectar value for pollinatorsiValue of flowers to pollinators: High 1

Susceptibility & Risks

Risk of toxicity to livestockiReported potential toxicity to livestock, categorised as yes or no. Toxicity is complex and often context-specific.: None known

Risks to farming operationsiOther risks such as suckering roots, very large tree size, secondary host for aphids, and flammability: Suckering 4

Disease susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to diseases, e.g. fungal and bacterial disease:
Low
No critical diseases 17
May be susceptible to holly leaf blight, Phytophthora root rot and sometimes honey fungus 23

Invertebrate pest susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to invertebrate pests, e.g. aphids and other insects:
Moderate
Susceptible to a very common leaf miner, but has little impact on growth 35
May be susceptible to scale insects, holly leaf miner and young shoots may be susceptible to aphids 2

Vertebrate damage susceptibilityiSusceptibility of the tree (not tree products) to vertebrate pests, e.g. squirrels and deer:
High
Sensitive to herbivore browsing 7
Favoured by deer during winter 12
Highly palatable 8