Native trees / Small trees / Holly
| Family name | Holly |
|---|---|
| Latin family name | Aquifoliaceae |
| Type of tree | Evergreen, and native |
| Average height | 8-15m |
| Leaf size | not available |
| Leaf colour | Dark green |
| Leaf bursts | not available |
| Flower size | not available |
| Flower colour | not available |
| Flower bursts | Late spring early summer |
| Fruit size | not available |
| Fruit colour | Red |
| Fruit bursts | Autumn |
| Soil type/enviromental conditions | Common on most soils, but less so in wet and very cold areas. Tolerates deep shade. |
| Tree lore and folklore | The bringing in of evergreen branches to decorate homes and barns is a custom which gores back to pre-Christian times. The holly, with its red berries and sharp spines, was seen as a powerful fertility symbol and a charm against witches and goblins. It is reputedly unlucky to cut down a holly tree and it was planted near houses to ward off witches and lightning. Young holly leaves when boiled, were used as a cure for colds, bronchitis and rheumatism. Although they are poisonous, in the past a few berries were recommended as a laxative! |
