Side by side
Holly or holm oak? How to tell them apart
Ilex aquifolium · Quercus ilex
How to tell them apart – holly: hairless, glossy leaf without a felted underside, and red berries instead of acorns; holm oak: evergreen oak with dark green, leathery leaves that are grey-felted underneath, on young trees often spiny-toothed like holly.
-2.jpg){kind=link}
How do you recognise them?
- Holly
- Evergreen, glossy leaf with spiny edges; red berries in winter.
- Compared with holm oak: hairless, glossy leaf without a felted underside, and red berries instead of acorns.
- Holm oak
- Evergreen oak with dark green, leathery leaves that are grey-felted underneath; on young trees often spiny-toothed like holly.
| Holly | Holm oak | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, evergreen, leathery and glossy dark green, 5–10 cm; wavy edge with sharp spines. Higher up the tree the leaves are often spineless. | Alternate, evergreen, 3–7 cm, oval to lance-shaped, untoothed or (especially on young trees) with spiny teeth; dark green above, greyish-white felted below. They stay on the tree for 2–3 years. |
| Flowering | May | Yellow, hanging catkins in May–June (May). |
| Fruit | Red berries on female trees, from autumn into spring. Poisonous to humans. | Small, pointed acorns 2–3 cm long in a grey-felted cup; they ripen in their first year. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey, even on old trees. | Dark grey to blackish, cracked into small square blocks. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 3–15 m | Broadleaf tree, 10–20 m (in Belgium usually 5–15 m) |
| Site | Sun to shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, dry |
| Native to Belgium | Yes | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees, butterflies and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Yes, take care with children and pets | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | March–April and July–August | May–August |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Holly is poisonous to people and pets: take care with children and animals.
- Holly is native: it feeds more insects and birds than a non-native species. If in doubt, choose this one.
- Holm oak grows 10–20 m (in Belgium usually 5–15 m) tall: too big for an ordinary garden, but fine in a large garden, a park or a meadow.
Read on
- Plant profile: Holly
- Plant profile: Holm oak
- Holly: when and how to prune
- Holm oak: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
- Holly or Japanese holly
- Holly or cherry laurel
- Holly or Oregon grape
- Holly or holly olive
- Cork oak or holm oak
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.