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Holly
Ilex aquifolium
The Holly is a very familiar tree which is well distributed around the Kinson Common. On site, it forms a shrub layer, never ever reaching its full potential as a tree which can grow to almost 20m. A fine stand of Hollies can be observed near the Main trackway leading from Kinson Baths towards Two Barrow heath.
The smooth bark is grey coloured and the dark green glossy leaves are edged with sharp spines. Closer inspection will reveal that on some of the higher branches, the leaves tend to be less spiny.
White male and female flowers are borne on separate trees in May. During the summer, the green berries or drupes, mature quickly and by early autumn, Holly trees will be displaying familiar glossy red berries long before Christmas arrives.
The Holly Blue butterfly makes full use of this species in the larval stage. Thrushes of all kinds strip Holly berries throughout the cold winter periods.
The wood of the Holly is hard with fine graining and has been used as a substitute for Box-wood. Other uses have included handles for silver teapots; walking sticks and even coachmen`s decorative whips.
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