Quercus ilex - Holm - Evergreen Oak

General Information Common Name  Holm, Evergreen Oak Scientific Name  Quercus ilex Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  20-27 m (66-89 ft) Spread  10 -15 m (40 - 50 ft) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Spring Color  Green, Flower Color  Yellow Type  Tree Native  Europe, USA

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Hamamelididae Order/  Fagales Family  Fagaceae – Beech family Genus  Quercus L. – Oak Species  Q. ilex

Evergreen Oak

Quercus ilex common name is Holm also called Evergreen Oak. It is common evergreen Oak, was introduced during the sixteenth century from the Mediterranean. It is a moderate sized tree with a broad, rounded, dense crown and leaves which are usually almost oval and never lobed. The tree is common in gardens and parks, where it stands like a large holly, often drooping almost to the ground and casting a dense shade throughout the whole year.

The young shoots are grey-green, carrying small, downy winter buds. The oval or linear leaves, which are usually 1 – 2 inches long but vary greatly in size and shape, have a margin which is shallowly toothed or even without teeth, and although rather woolly in May, they become dark green and hairless on top but greyish- or yellowish-green underneath on account of the short, thick down.

The flowers of both sexes appear on the same tree in May. The grenish-yellow male catkins vary in length and are borne in abundance: the female flowers, of like color, have longish stalk. The acorn is short and at least half of it is enclosed in a downy cup; both are green at first, becoming dark brown when ripe (which takes two years).

The bark is grey, later becoming brown or nearly black, and divided into fairly small squares. The wood is hard, heavy, tough, and highly figured but rarely used.

The tree may not be attractive but often provides a useful screen and shelter from sun and wind. It is particularly useful by the sea because it gives shade and shelter and it resists the ill effects of salt laden winds and also atmospheric pollution in towns. 

Evergreen Oak

Evergreen Oak Young Plant

Evergreen Oak Leaves

Evergreen Oak Leaves

Evergreen Oak Flowers

Evergreen Oak Fruits

Evergreen Oak Ripe Fruits 

Evergreen Oak Bark

Evergreen Oak Ornamental 

Evergreen Oak