Quercus palustris (Pin Oak)

Common Name: Holm Oak

Quercus ilex, more commonly known as the Holm Oak, is an evergreen broadleaf tree that can grow to 20m and develop a huge, rounded crown. It was introduced to Britain in the late 1500s. The bark is black and finely cracked, and twigs are slender and covered with light brown felt-like hairs.

The leaves are oval, dark green to black and concave with a coating of pale hairs on the underside. Young leaves are spiny, like holly leaves, whereas older leaves have smooth edges. In spring, small, elongated yellow catkins with both male and female flowers hang off the tree. After pollination by wind, female flowers develop into acorns, which are smaller and have a more pointed tip than those of English or sessile oaks. Young acorns are green and mature to a dark red-brown before falling.

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