The genus Ilex contains over 350 species native to North America [26], Europe [1], tropical Africa [1], and Australia [1], with the rest in China and Brazil. The word ilex is the classical Latin name of Quercus ilex L., holly oak, of Europe, which has holly-like leaves.
Ilex ambigua Carolina holly, large-leaf holly, mountain holly, mountain privet, mountain winterberry, myrtle holly, sand holly
Ilex amelanchier sarvis holly, serviceberry holly
Ilex aquifolium European holly (introduced in colonies)
Ilex cassine Alabama dahoon, cassena-bush, cassena holly, christmasberry, dahoon, dahoon holly, Florida holly, hveloxsonwood, yaupon
Ilex coriacea bay gallbush, large gallberry, sweet gallberry
Ilex decidua bearberry, curtis possumhaw, deciduous holly, meadow holly, possumhaw, privet, swamp holly, winterberry
Ilex krugiana krug holly, southern holly, tawnyberry holly
Ilex laevigata smooth winterberry
Ilex longipes chapman holly, Georgia holly
Ilex montana mountain holly, mountain winterberry
Ilex myrtifolia dahoon, myrtle dahoon, myrtle holly
Ilex opaca* American holly, christmas holly, evergreen holly, holly, prickly holly, white holly, yule holly
Ilex opaca American holly (typical)
var. opaca
Ilex opaca dune holly, hummock holly, scrub holly
var. arenicola
Ilex verticillata black alder, common winterberry, winterberry
Ilex vomitoria Appalachian tea, bassena, Carolina tea, cassena, cassena-bush, cassine, cassioberry, christmas berry, deerberry, emetic holly, evergreen cassena, evergreen holly, true cassena, yaupon, yopon
*commercial species
The following description is for American holly.
Distribution: North America, from Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York, southwest to Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri and Oklahoma, south to Texas and east to Florida.
The Tree: Hollies have spiny evergreen leaves and red berries on the female trees. Holly is found in lower areas of deep, rich, moist soils in association with magnolia, oaks, sweet gum, maples, and hackberry. It reaches a height of 50 ft (15 m) with a 2 ft (0.6 m) diameter. The bark is thick and relatively smooth with rough wart-like processes.
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of holly is white and the heartwood is an ivory white with a bluish cast or streaks. The wood has no characteristic odor or taste. It is heavy, hard, close-grained and tough, with a low luster like ivory.
Weighta
Weight
Moisture Specific lb/ft3 kg/m3
content gravity
Green 0.50 57 913
12% 0.57 40 641
Ovendry 0.61 NA NA
aReference (59).
Mechanical propertiesa
Property Green Dry
MOE 0.90 106 6.205 GPa 1.11 106 7.653 GPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
MOR 6.50 103 44.818 MPa 10.3 103 71.019 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C| | 2.64 103 18.203 MPa 5.54 103 38.198 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
C 0.61 103 4.206 MPa 1.13 103 7.791 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
WML 10.8 74.466 kJ/m3 10.7 73.777
in-lbf/in3 in-lbf/in3 kJ/m3
Hardness 790 lbf 3,513.92 N 1,020 lbf 4,536.96 N
Shear| | 1.13 103 7.791 MPa 1.71 103 11.790 MPa
lbf/in2 lbf/in2
aReference (59).
Drying and shrinkagea,b
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture
content)
Type of 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
shrinkage
Tangential 9.9 7.9 3.3
Radial 4.8 3.8 1.6
Volumetric 16.9 13.5 5.6
aHolly generally discolors when
seasoned slowly. It is best
cut in winter and dried quickly. It
may warp and cup during
kiln drying.
bReferences: 0% MC, (98); 6% and 20%
MC, (90).
Kiln drying schedulea
4/4, 5/4, 8/4 10/4 12/4 16/4
Condition 6/4 stock stock stock stock
stock
Standard T6-D4 T4-C3 NA NA NA
aReferences (6, 86).
Working Properties: Holly is difficult to work, but takes a high polish. It glues and screws well, but drilling should be done slowly. The wood takes a stain well and can be ebonized.
Durability: Holly is susceptible to fungal attack.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Furniture (inlay), keys for musical instruments (ebonized), scientific instruments, fixtures, brush backs, carvings, scrollwork, engravings, handles, turnery and novelties.
Toxicity: No information available at this time.
Additional Reading: 29, 52, 55, 68, 74. 55, 66, 68, 74, 79. 28, 29, 42, 43, 44, 48, 50, 55, 56, 68, 72, 73, 74, 79, 92, 97, 102. 74, 75, 77, 99, 106. 101.