Holly trees grown together

Question

I have two holly trees that have grown together. Can I separate them? The hollies stopped bearing orange berries. I would like to move one 30 feet away in my neighbor’s yard. They have a beautiful tall holly they totally ignore!!

Answer 1

Look at the base of the plant. If the large holly has several trunks coming from the ground, it is actually several holly shrubs growing together. You can dig these up and replant each trunk as a separate plant. If there is only one trunk, you will have to use other methods for propagation.

For more info on moving holly, this article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/transplant-holly-bushes.htm

Answer 2

thank you nikki for the information——–do holly trees have deep roots? I don’t want to harm them, I garden for fun and have a very nice yard which I get a lot of complements on..But these 2 hollies have grown together and stopped producing berries ……This makes me crazy–I think I pruned them the wrong time of the year——–also I noticed the roots are showing above ground—-does this matter? p.s-now my other neighbor has planted a holly on his front lawn- his first one–it has so many berries you can hardly see the leaves!!!!!!!!!!!! What kind of fertalizer do you recommend????????

Answer 3

Most types of holly shrubs have shallow root systems. If roots are showing, they probably were not planted deep enough or the soil around them simply settled. If you divide them, just replant them so the roots are completely covered.

If you pruned at the worng time, this can affect berry production. This article can help for future pruning: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/trimming-holly-bushes-how-to-prune-holly-bushes.htm

As for fertilizing hollies, fertilize your holly bushes once a year (preferably in spring) with a balanced fertilizer. There is a fertilizer called Holly-Tone that is specifically made for holly and is very good.