Quercus ilex - holm oak (forest honeycomb)

Genus of about 600 species of monoecious, semi-deciduous or evergreen trees and shrubs, widely distributed in woodlands and scrub of the Northern Hemisphere. Quercus ilex is an evergreen tree, up to 20 meters tall, with an imposing appearance with globose and expansive foliage. Erect and robust trunk, soon divided into large branches, with blackish-dark brown bark, broken into small angular scales. The leaves are extremely variable, lanceolate or elliptical, dark green in colour, shiny on the upper surface, white tormented on the lower one with an entire or toothed margin, with a spiny margin in young plants such as holly from which it takes the

Pedoclimatic needs

The holm oak is a typical element of the woods and Mediterranean scrub but extends into arid woods up to 1000-1800 meters above sea level. It adapts to all types of soil as long as it is well drained and without stagnation, preferring deep ones although it is able to colonize arid, stony substrates and superficial. Young plants prefer partial shade, also adapting well to full sun. It tolerates heat, drought, wind and salt. Young plants benefit from regular watering during the summer. Moderately rustic species, it resists the cold and not too intense and prolonged frosts (-12°/-14°C), but fears heavy snowfalls which cause branches and branches to break. The holm oak is widely used as an ornamental plant for paths and gardens. It is suitable for the creation of topiary or free hedges and is very suitable for pruning square, cylindrical, etc. foliage.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Quercus ilex

Family: Fagaceae