Evergreen native to the moist woodlands of the Eastern, United States. It grows slowly to 80 ft. The larger specimen shown below is very old and was photographed December 1998 in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky.

It is easily propagated from seeds which are in the red berries that remain on the tree until spring.

Seeds require cold storage (stratification) and are not likely to germinate until the spring of the second year. Trees prefer a cool moist acidic soil typical of the eastern woodlands of the U.S. Once established, it is a very hardy and trouble-free tree. When young, several holly trees planted in a row can make an impenetrible hedge. As the tree matures, the lower branches can be pruned back to allow walkways beneath. The trunk will grow knots where the limbs have been removed giving the smooth grey bark a scarring that gives the tree "character." Not recommended for barefoot traffic, because the prickly leaves that fall to the ground remain firm and sharp long after they have dried and turned brown. Male and female specimens are required in fairly close proximity for berry production.

Hardy in climate zones 5 - 9.

A sprig of American Holly
(Ilex opaca), used extensively in Christmas decorations.

American Holly is propagated from seed offered by the GreenDealer Exotic Seeds selection of trees.