Q. We have two holly trees in our front yard that are at
least 40 years old. Last summer one of
the trees began to get curled leaves and this year the entire tree looks like
it is dying. The trees are on the north side of our house and get sun in the
morning and afternoon. We were told locally that the trees are probably dying
from old age but they didn’t know the name of the tree. We had our entire front
yard replaced with desert landscaping this spring but that should not have
caused the problem because one of the trees began getting curled leaves last
year.
least 40 years old. Last summer one of
the trees began to get curled leaves and this year the entire tree looks like
it is dying. The trees are on the north side of our house and get sun in the
morning and afternoon. We were told locally that the trees are probably dying
from old age but they didn’t know the name of the tree. We had our entire front
yard replaced with desert landscaping this spring but that should not have
caused the problem because one of the trees began getting curled leaves last
year.
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| Plant problem sent in by Reader |
A. Years ago Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) was commonly planted as a foundation plant in
southern Nevada. They performed best planted on the north or east sides of a
home, somewhat protected from the hot sun.
southern Nevada. They performed best planted on the north or east sides of a
home, somewhat protected from the hot sun.
The most
commonly planted Ilex was ‘Bufordii’ or Buford Holly. You can google this name
in google images and see if it matches your plant. With the onset of desert
plants and desert landscaping it has pretty well been forgotten along with some
other really cool plants. All the nurseries in Las Vegas carried it forty years
ago and many up to about 20 years ago.
commonly planted Ilex was ‘Bufordii’ or Buford Holly. You can google this name
in google images and see if it matches your plant. With the onset of desert
plants and desert landscaping it has pretty well been forgotten along with some
other really cool plants. All the nurseries in Las Vegas carried it forty years
ago and many up to about 20 years ago.
 |
| Buford Holly foliage http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/ilex_cornuta_burfordii_foliage.shtml |
Buford
holly is fairly long-lived but I have to agree a bit that as they age, without proper care, they will
begin to decline.
holly is fairly long-lived but I have to agree a bit that as they age, without proper care, they will
begin to decline.
 |
| Buford Holly berries (poisonous) from University of Florida website http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/treesandpowerlines/ilex_cornuta_burfordii_berries.shtml |
I am not
sure what the problem is but since one or two limbs are dying back you will
most likely see the cause by following those dead limbs back inside the plant
until the dying stops. The problem should be at that spot or very close to it.
sure what the problem is but since one or two limbs are dying back you will
most likely see the cause by following those dead limbs back inside the plant
until the dying stops. The problem should be at that spot or very close to it.
A real
guess is that it might be a wood boring insect that is common to all plants
here. I rather doubt that it is a disease but it is most likely mechanical or
physical damage by insects tunneling or accidental damage by a human being.
guess is that it might be a wood boring insect that is common to all plants
here. I rather doubt that it is a disease but it is most likely mechanical or
physical damage by insects tunneling or accidental damage by a human being.
Buford
holly is a beautiful plant if it is well cared for. It will get to about six
feet, taller in very protected areas. It can be grown into a small tree maybe
getting as tall as 20 feet. The thick glossy leaves have spines but not nearly
as spiny as English holly.
holly is a beautiful plant if it is well cared for. It will get to about six
feet, taller in very protected areas. It can be grown into a small tree maybe
getting as tall as 20 feet. The thick glossy leaves have spines but not nearly
as spiny as English holly.
They
will produce more red berries in winter if you have a female plant and there is a
male nearby. Sometimes they appear to produce these red berries with no
apparent mate nearby. All hollies grow best in rich, slightly acidic soils.
They would do nicely grouped with camellias and other sun-tender and acid
loving plants.
will produce more red berries in winter if you have a female plant and there is a
male nearby. Sometimes they appear to produce these red berries with no
apparent mate nearby. All hollies grow best in rich, slightly acidic soils.
They would do nicely grouped with camellias and other sun-tender and acid
loving plants.
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| From residence in East Texas http://easttexasgardening.tamu.edu/homegardens/easttex1.html |
Remove
this dead limb by cutting it just above the healthy part of the limb. Add
another drip emitter or increase the amount of water that is applied and apply
a fertilizer such as Miracid or a fertilizer for acid loving plants at least
once a year in the spring. Do it now if it has not had any for awhile.
this dead limb by cutting it just above the healthy part of the limb. Add
another drip emitter or increase the amount of water that is applied and apply
a fertilizer such as Miracid or a fertilizer for acid loving plants at least
once a year in the spring. Do it now if it has not had any for awhile.
Applying
mulch to the base of the plants will help conserve moisture, add nutrients to
the soil, make the soil more acidic, reduce weed problems and improve the
general vigor of the plant. It would help to have it pruned carefully by
someone who knows how to prune.
mulch to the base of the plants will help conserve moisture, add nutrients to
the soil, make the soil more acidic, reduce weed problems and improve the
general vigor of the plant. It would help to have it pruned carefully by
someone who knows how to prune.
I know this sounds weird, but do you have feral cats, or neighbors' cats in your area? They like places that are hidden, like behind plants to use as their private bathrooms. Their urine is pure poison for plants and they can take down a 3 years old, 11 foot high Night Blooming Jasmine in less than a month.