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Oakland Oak Leaf Holly Trees for Sale Online
The Oakland Holly is an easy-to-grow evergreen holly noted for its handsome dark green foliage and eye-catching orange-red berries. The Holly Ilex is ideal for those in search of a pyramidal tree that requires minimal pruning.
This relatively new evergreen holly variety from the Southern Living Plant Collection makes for beautiful holiday decor and adds a bit of winter interest to your yard. However, it is important to note that the red fruits are poisonous to people and pets. Crimson or burgundy colored new growth is an interesting feature of this oak-shaped-leaf holly. Best planted in early spring, the Oakland Holly can grow in a variety of environments from full sun to partial shade, and is ideal for growing zones 6-9.
In addition to its use for decoration and visual appeal, the Oakland Holly tree can also double in use as a hedge planting. If you're looking for a unique way to privacy screening, take a look at these evergreen shrubs, which can reach 15-20 feet tall at maturity.
Another approach to displaying these festive evergreens clustering the trees for use as hedges or for use as a corner planting in your garden. To add a level of symmetry to the garden, clusters can be used at the ends or middle of shrub borders. Shrub borders tend to be uniform in height, but by adding clusters of larger evergreen trees you bring variations in height as well as a sense of permanence to the garden.

Hardiness Zone: | 6-9 |
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Mature Height: | 15 to 20 feet |
Mature Width: | 12 to 15 feet |
Sunlight: | Full sun to part shade |
Foliage Color: | Dark green |
Growth Form: | Upright pyramidal |
Soil Conditions: | Very tolerant of most soil conditions, likes acidity |
How to Care for Oakland® Holly
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy plant for years to come!

How should I plant my Oakland Oak Leaf Holly Tree?
Never plant Oakland holly deeper than originally planted in the pot. As a rule, we always say that before you mulch you should still be able to see the soil from the original pot. Planting too deep can cause rotting of the stem and death to the tree. Oakland hollies are moderately drought tolerant, however, they grow very slow without adequate water. Staking young trees is recommended to minimize the stress on the stem from winds blowing the tree. When tying trees to stakes remember the tree will continue to grow. Loosely tie the tree with several twist ties to allow for growth. Check trees every three months and loosen as needed. If this is not done, the twist tie will grow into the tree causing injury. Pro-tip: use a short length of old garden hose and run the tie wire through the hose. this will protect the trunk of the tree from being damaged by the tie wire.

How much should I water my Oakland Holly Tree?
When planting a potted tree, remember the only water source the tree has is its small root ball; all the water the tree uses must come from them until new roots can grow into the surrounding soil. Care should be taken not to over-water. More trees die from watering too much rather than not enough. When a tree is first planted, make sure to give the amended soil around the root ball a good deep watering, and do not rush this. Most of the water will run off and not stay near the tree if it is not done slowly. After that first deep watering, then go by the rule of the five-count. From a typical garden hose, we recommend a count of five for every gallon size the container is. So, if it is a one-gallon pot, a count to five for each watering should do, if a three-gallon then fifteen and so on. Do this twice a week until established, and potentially more if in hot weather. A Treegator bag helps to do the work for you by slowly letting water out into the drip line around the tree.

How should I fertilize my Oakland Holly Tree?
We recommend when planting your plants to use Bio-tone starter fertilizer by Espoma. Simply mix the recommended amount of Bio-tone into the back-fill soil and water in generously when back-filled. Over time, we also recommend using Espoma Holly-tone after the tree has become established. Bio-tone® Starter Plus is an all-natural plant food that is combined with a stronger concentration of beneficial bacteria along with both endo and ecto mycorrhizae. Basically, the “good” fungus in Bio-tone colonizes on the growing roots of your newly planted plant and does not allow disease causing fungus to attack the new roots. It has also shown promise in stimulating the growth of the new roots which means quicker establishment for your plant. After establishment and during the following years we recommend Holly-tone used at the recommended rates. It is also organic and slow-release, feeding your trees the proper amount of nutrients over a period of time rather than all at once. Fertilizing too quickly can burn the root tips and actually have the opposite effect of slowing down plant growth. It also will help to maintain the acid levels in the soil that Oakland holly trees need to thrive.

Whats the best way to prune my oak leaf holly tree?
Shearing is generally not needed. However, for a formal hedge start shearing when the tree reaches 3 or 4 feet in height, cutting only the sides and removing no more than 3 or 4 inches of growth at a time. This will cause the tree to grow thicker. If you want the tree to grow tall don't cut the top leader, just shape the sides. The best time to shear is after a new growth spurt finishes and the new growth begins to mature. Growth will go from a smooth, greasy texture, to a rougher snakeskin look. Shearing twice a year is sufficient, but only if needed. To keep your trees at a particular height requires cutting the central leader and then shearing all outside branches. This will control the tree for many years, but in time the tree will become too large to maintain. Pruning can help make Oakland holly bushier. It is recommended that you disinfect your shears before you begin and even after each plant to prevent disease spread. You can prune dead or diseased limbs any time of the year. To encourage thick bushy trees simply trim back the limbs that have outstretched the rest of the tree.