Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, Oregon, USA

Common name: holly oak

Family: Fagaceae

Distribution: Southern Europe to northwest Africa

Habitat: Froest, shrublands in pure stands or mixed forest, occurring up to 2900m

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: Zone 7b 5 to 10 F

Life form: Broadleaf evergreen tree

Usage: Ornamental shade tree

Comments: Holly-leaf oak is an evergreen tree, to 65’ tall, dense, rounded form. Bark gray, nearly smooth or finely scaly. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate to lanceolate, 3-7 cm long, leathery, tip acute, base usually rounded, margin remotely serrate or entire (leaves on juvenile trees may have holly-like teeth), glossy very dark green above, yellowish or whitish tomentose (downy) below; petiole 6-15 mm long. Fruit (acorn) ovoid, 2-3.5 cm long, about half enclosed by a cup with thin appressed scales.
Best grown in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil.