American Hollies belong to the Aqufolia family and its latin name is Ilex opaca. American hollies live in dry woods and should get 6-8 hours of sun a day. Their height ranges from 40-50 feet tall and their leaves are bulky, shiny, spiky at the edges, and dark green on top and a lighter green on the bottom. American Holly’s bark varies from a light to dark grey and grows rougher as the tree grows older. American Holly’s red berries are very appealing but don’t let them fool you they are poisonous to humans and our pets.
Have you ever heard of The Famous Shoemaker Holly Tree? The Famous Shoemaker Holly Tree is 325 years old! When they were building the Garden State Parkway they preserved the land in the middle to save this amazing American Holly, so currently parkway north and parkway south surround The Famous Shoemaker Holly Tree. If you are driving by this tree on the parkway mile marker 22.7, stop by to check it out! As you can see the American Holly (Ilex opaca) is a truly beautiful tree, one of my favorites.
