QUERCUS ilex

Common name: Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak

Family: Fagaceae

Origin: Mediterranean

Description: A slow growing evergreen tree, can be used as hedging in coastal areas. Dark green leaves, grey beneath and silvery when young

Uses: Hedging & Screening

Climate/Position: Very resistant to salt spray, good for coastal locations

Height/Spread: Height 20 metres

Soil Requirements: Happy in most soil types, well drained

Pruning: Prune in late winter to early spring

Additional Interest: First introduced to UK in 1500?s. It is the acorns of this plant that are fed to pigs in Spain to produce Iberico ham