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Deciduous Holly.JPG

Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua)

 

Interesting & key characteristics:

Height: 16 feet; spread 16 feet

Fruit: Bright, red orange berries 

Leaves: Small, green, oval leaves that appear in the summer and turn yellow in autumn

Bark: Pale, gray, thin and almost twig-like branches

Flowers: It has white flowers with 4 petals that bloom before leaves come 

 

Unique benefits (how it helps our planet):

It provides red berries as fruit for many birds and other animals. It’s a shrub, so it has lots of branches and twigs to make a nest in or burrow in.

 

Source: Missouri Conservation Trees and Shrubs

 

The Story Behind the Tree:

 

Mr. Schimmelpfinneg and Mrs. Torlina decided to plant the deciduous holly trees in the back of the Pre-K playground to replace the invasive bush honeysuckle plants. Unlike the bush honeysuckle, the deciduous holly trees were native plants. It quickly became one of his favorite small trees. After planting the tree, Mrs. Zareh assisted Mrs. Torlina in placing protective fencing around the trees. 

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