VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Ilex opaca | American Holly 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
The wood of American holly is heavy, tough, and close-grained.  It
shrinks considerably, checks or warps badly unless properly seasoned,
and is not durable under exposure [47].  The wood is used for veneer and
to a limited extent as pulpwood and lumber.  The greates use of the wood
is for cabinets, interior finish, novelties, handles, fixtures, and
scientific instruments.  When dyed black to resemble ebony, it is used
for piano keys, violin pegs, and fingerboards [23].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Birds are the principal consumers of American holly fruit, although
deer, squirrels, and other small animals eat them.  At least 18 species
of birds, including songbirds, mourning doves, wild turkeys, and
northern bobwhite, are known to eat the fruit [42,46].  Cattle and deer
sometimes browse the foliage [9,18].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of American holly to white-tailed deer and cattle is
considered poor.  Deer and cattle generally consume American holly only
when more preferred browse is unavailable [33].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Lay [32] listed nutrient percentage values for American holly browse
collected in winter and summer on a pine-hardwood forest in Newton
County, Texas:

                               N-Free          Phosphoric
        Protein   Fat   Fiber  extract   Ash      acid       Calcium
Su       5.50     ---    ---     ---     ---      0.14         ---
W        6.73     3.16  26.10   46.17    2.84     0.14         0.70

These levels are low for protein and deficient for phosphoric acid, but
high for calcium [32].


COVER VALUE : 
Cavities in American holly provide nesting habitat for the endangered
red-cockaded woodpecker [28].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
American holly is useful for rehabilitating areas that have been damaged
by salt spray.  It is more resistant to damage from salt spray than any
associated woody species in the maritime forest of New England [23,25].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The attractiveness of American holly's foliage is its principal value,
whether as a forest tree, planted ornamental, or Christmas decoration.
It can be used for yard, street, park planting, or for hedges [6,47].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
American holly is considered an undesirable shrub that competes with
pines and desirable hardwoods for light, moisture, and nutrients.
Streamline basal application of the herbicide Garlon 4 is an effective
means of controlling American holly [38].

The greatest damage to American holly trees is the indiscriminate
harvesting of foliage with berries for Christmas decorating.  Before
laws were passed in Maryland and Delaware to protect the holly, there
was a "roadside" market for holly collected from trees that did not
belong to the harvesters.  Trees were left mutilated and many died [23].

Related categories for Species: Ilex opaca | American Holly