The American holly
American Holly
Ilex opaca, the American holly, is a species of holly, native to the eastern and south-central United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas.
What is the state tree of Delaware?
American Holly (Ilex opaca Aiton ) often referred to as the Christmas or evergreen holly was adopted as Delaware official state tree on May 1, 1939 by an act of the General Assembly of Delaware, signed by Governor Richard C McMullen. The American Holly, (Aquifoliaceae Ilex opaca aiton ,) is regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees.
What kind of holly trees grow in Delaware?
The American Holly, (Aquifoliaceae Ilex opaca aiton ,) is regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees. Often called Christmas holly or evergreen holly is native to the eastern United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas.
How did Holly become a symbol of Christmas in America?
When the Pilgrims landed the week before Christmas in 1620 on the coast of what is now Massachusetts, the evergreen, prickly leaves and red berries of American holly (Ilex opaca) reminded them of the English holly (Ilex aquifolium), a symbol of Christmas for centuries in England and Europe (13,26). Since then American holly, also called white...
Which state's tree is the American holly?
of DelawareThe American holly has been the state tree of Delaware since 1939. In the 1930s, Delaware was the leading supplier of holly in the U.S.
What is the Delaware tree?
American HollyDelaware / State treeIlex opaca, the American holly, is a species of holly, native to the eastern and south-central United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas. Wikipedia
What is so special about holly tree?
The ancient Druids believed that placing holly in their homes would shelter the elves and fairies that would join mortal humans during winter for good luck and protection against evil. Distilled holly water was used in ancient times to sprinkle on newborns to protect them from evil.
Is American holly an invasive species?
The plant roots sucker, allowing dense thickets to form. The thickets cast deep shade, which affects nearby native vegetation. As a result, English holly is considered to be an invasive species in the Pacific Northwest, New Jersey, and Virginia.
What is Delaware's state gem?
SillimaniteSillimanite, a white to tan to green aluminum silicate, (Al2SiO5) occurs in high temperature, aluminum-rich metamorphic rocks. In Delaware, it is found in the Hoopes Reservoir and Brandywine Springs areas.
What is Delaware's motto?
Liberty and independenceDelaware / Motto
What does holly mean in the Bible?
A holly's pointed leaves symbolize the crown of thorns placed on Jesus' head before he died on the cross. Holly is known as christdorn in German, meaning "Christ thorn." Both of these symbols are meant to serve as a reminder to Christians of Jesus' suffering, but they aren't the only stories tying holly to Jesus.
Is it unlucky to remove a holly tree?
It was also considered very unlucky to cut down an entire holly tree, especially one that had self-seeded. Conversely it was always thought to be lucky to have a holly tree self-seed itself in the garden, and such a tree would bring prosperity to the owner.
Are holly trees good luck?
Holly in Ancient Cultures In Druid lore, cutting down a holly tree would bring bad luck. In contrast, hanging the plant in homes was believed to bring good luck and protection. Holly was also thought to protect homes against lightning strikes.
Can you eat berries of American holly tree?
The Full Story Boughs of holly are okay, but berries are not! Holly leaves, branches and berries are beautiful holiday decorations, but the berries are poisonous to people and pets. Swallowing holly berries can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and drowsiness.
How long do American holly trees live?
100 yearsThe Holly plant does grow pretty slow, but can eventually attain a height of around 30-50 feet in a compact pyramid shape. If planted in the right conditions and decently cared for some hollies can live up to 100 years or longer.
Is American holly a tree or bush?
This tree is dioecious, with separate male and female plants....How to Grow American Holly.Botanical NameIlex opacaPlant TypeBroadleaf evergreen shrubMature Size15–30 feet tall, 10–20 feet wideSun ExposureFull sun to part shadeSoil TypeMoist, acidic, well-drained soil7 more rows•Jul 21, 2021
What is Delaware's state bug?
Lady BugState Bug: Lady Bug Adopted April 25, 1974, the Lady Bug was chosen by the Legislature after an intensive effort on the insect's behalf by Mrs. Mollie Brown-Rust and her 2nd grade students of the Lulu M. Ross Elementary School in Milford, Delaware.
What is Delaware's state flower?
Peach BlossomDelaware / State flowerState Flower: Peach Blossom Passage of the act to adopt the Peach Blossom on May 9, 1895, was prompted by Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State," since her orchards contained more than 800,000 peach trees yielding a crop worth thousands of dollars at that time.
What is Delaware's state animal?
State Wildlife Animal: Grey Fox Adopted June 10, 2010, the grey fox is a unique and primitive species, believed to be between 7 and 10 million years old, which is indigenous to Delaware.
What is Delaware's state fish?
WeakfishDelaware / State fishState Fish: Weakfish In recognition of sport fishing's overall recreational and economic contributions to the state of Delaware and of the specific values of the weakfish (Cynoscion genus) as a game and food fish, the state Legislature adopted the weakfish as Delaware's State fish in 1981.
Where is the holly tree in Delaware?
It turns out that in the tiny town of Milton, Delaware, so much holly was produced and sold that little Milton was the largest source of holly products for Christmas decorations in the world at that time. Since holly played such a vital role in the health of Delaware's economy, the General Assembly adopted Ilex opaca as its official state tree on ...
What is the state tree of Delaware?
American Holly, State Tree of Delaware. by Timmy Jo Given (timmijo) December 25, 2013. Add to Bookmarks. The American Holly's charm, often hidden from view, now makes a statement among the bare deciduous trees of winter.
When did holly wreaths stop being made?
Local holly production for holiday wreaths gradually declined and then stopped altogether in the mid-1960s as synthetic decorations grew in popularity. Natural decorations gave way to plastic counterparts.
Where does Holly grow?
It grows abundantly in at least half of the United States. Digging for history, an Internet search turned up information in a publication, Evergreen, by the Delaware Community Forestry Council that tells the tale of the American Holly and how it was very prolific and useful in the 1930s. It turns out that in the tiny town of Milton, Delaware, ...
Is a front yard Holly a nuisance?
You know, that front yard holly has served my landscape faithfully over the years, and yet I have often regarded it as a nuisance due to its spiky leaves. In the summer, it's just a tree next to the house. But in the winter, it becomes something special.
Is American Holly a bird?
It is mostly known as a food source for a variety of birds, especially after the sweeter fruits have disappeared from the landscape. American Holly is an underdog in the understory of the forest, and that is why winter is its special time to come out of hiding for all of us to behold.
Do whitetail deer eat berries?
Berries occur on the female trees. This is not the first choice of food for the many white-tailed deer that roam the wooded areas here, but it does the job if the deer are very hungry. It is mostly known as a food source for a variety of birds, especially after the sweeter fruits have disappeared from the landscape.
What is the Delaware State Tree?
Delaware State Tree: American Holly. When the Pilgrims landed the week before Christmas in 1620 on the coast of what is now Massachusetts, the evergreen, prickly leaves and red berries of American holly ( Ilex opaca) reminded them of the English holly ( Ilex aquifolium ), a symbol of Christmas for centuries in England and Europe (13,26).
When was the American Holly adopted?
American Holly (Ilex opaca Aiton ) often referred to as the Christmas or evergreen holly was adopted as Delaware official state tree on May 1, 1939 by an act of the General Assembly of Delaware, signed by Governor Richard C McMullen. The American Holly, (Aquifoliaceae Ilex opaca aiton ,) is regarded as one of Delaware's most important forest trees.
Where do American Holly trees grow?
Often called Christmas holly or evergreen holly is native to the eastern United States, from coastal Massachusetts south to central Florida, and west to southeastern Missouri and eastern Texas. The tree has dark, green thorny-leaved and leathery foliage. Sometimes they are very shiny. Underneath, they are yellowish-green. The flowers of American Holly are small and white. They usually bloom from April to June. The fruit is a small red drupe 6-12 mm diameter containing four seeds; it is often persistent into winter.
What is the most valuable tree in the Eastern United States?
Since then American holly, also called white holly or Christmas holly, has been one of the most valuable and popular trees in the Eastern United States for its foliage and berries, used for Christmas decorations, and for ornamental plantings.
