Leaves & needles
Leathery oval leaves, dark above and pale felted beneath; young leaves may have spiny edges.
IntroducedEvergreenTypical height 15–25 m
Holm oak
Quercus ilex
An evergreen oak with a dense crown, dark leaves and small acorns.
THROUGH THE YEAR
Holm oak through the seasons
Dense, rounded evergreen canopy casting deep shade.
Mostly stays dark green; acorns develop.
Leafy broad crown persists through winter.
Typical open-grown form. This tree keeps foliage in winter, shedding older leaves or needles gradually. Pruned, sheltered and young trees can look different.
LOOK A LITTLE CLOSER
How to identify holm oak
Bark
Dark grey to black bark with fine cracks.
Twigs
Slender shoots carry pale brown, felt-like hairs.
Buds
Small, pointed, hairy buds cluster near shoot tips.
Flowers & pollen
Slender yellowish male catkins and tiny female flowers appear in spring.
Fruit, seeds & cones
Elongated acorns sit in scaly cups; mature acorns usually ripen brown.
Images show typical features and are not to scale. Confirm several features using the reference sources below.
CARE WITH PURPOSE
Caring for holm oak
Help it thrive
Likes a sunny, drained site and tolerates coastal exposure once established. Provide generous space; water new plants through dry periods.
Pruning advice
Keep cuts selective and modest. Preserve natural structure; seek advice before reducing a large mature crown.
When can it be pruned?
Spring, commonly April–May, for planned light shaping
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Highlighted months are an indicative window for the work described, not a reason to prune every year. An unshaded month is not an absolute ban.
Timing must suit the tree's health, weather, wildlife and legal protection. Avoid severe frost, drought and vulnerable new leaf growth. Mature trees, major branches and suspected defects need professional assessment.
Tree health: what to watch for
New growth and leaf replacement can occur without the whole tree becoming bare.
Identification & care references
Guide researched November 2026. Identification remains provisional until several features agree. UK native means native in some part of the UK, not necessarily your area.
Before work in England, check tree preservation orders, conservation-area restrictions and wildlife protection. Official tree protection guidance ↗