For evergreen screening or year-round interest in the garden, Quercus ilex is a wonderful choice. The dark-green, glossy foliage is similar to that of a holly tree, hence the common name Holly Oak (or Holm Oak). The spiny, evergreen leaves provide a brilliant plain foil for other plants. Young green autumn acorns adorn Quercus ilex and mature to a dark-red before falling. The acorns are popular with wildlife such as squirrels, whilst the spring catkins are visited by bees and the evergreen canopy provides shelter to birds. Eventually growing into a large, rounded tree, this variety of Oak will reach 10 x 6 metres in 20 years. Quercus ilex will tolerate exposed coastal or inland positions and as it is also tolerant of salt-spray, it is ideal for using as an evergreen windbreak in coastal gardens. It is happy in both full sun and dappled shade and in all but very wet soils. This tree is extremely useful and tough. AKA Evergreen Oak tree, Holm Oak, Holly-leaved Oak
