Last year my holly tree, during a very dry time, has a lot of dead branches on it and I don't think it will come back. It still has some green at the top and a few branches through out the rest of the tree. I love the tree but I don't know what to do. Should I cut it down or what do you suggest? My husband does not want to cut it down because he thinks it will come back but when you break one of the branches it appears to be dead. Please help!
Can you prune out the dead wood without removing more than 30 percent of the tree? This will improve its appearance and encourage branching.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/american-holly-trees.htm
Please can you advise of this is male or female? The pictures on the internet are all blurry and confusing it is a Green Alaska Many thanks P
That is a male. Those 4 dusty looking things are known as "anthers" and bear the pollen required for the female plant.
A female flower will have a single, central stigma.
I had a horrible feeling that was the case. Presumeably that means no red berries like they advertised.I didnt even realise there were two sexes of holly! I do now! Thankyou
I am in Northern Ireland
If they are mature red berries, they are still from last year. Otherwise, it may be the flower buds you see or the tiny berries that will take all summer to develop.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/when-does-holly-bloom-fruit.htm
sickly. Can the two be related? I've heard that freezers emit a gas... The tree has been there for at least 40 years and is normally very healthy. It is about 50 ft high.
I would be more concerned with the freezer sitting on top of tree roots and suffocating them.
https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/ppdl/Pages/Covering-Tree-Roots.aspx
I'd trim them both, untangling them and giving them some space for air circulation. Here are a couple articles with tips:
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2003/3-7-2003/pruneshrub.html
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/shgen/trimming-overgrown-shrub.htm
my holly is flowering and looked healthy but has begun to have.yelow leaves that are dropping. What should I do?
This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/holly/holly-yellow-leaves.htm
It’s loaded with berries now. Have you any idea if this variety will continue to bloom? Thanks in advance for your assistance.
I wonder if it is missing letters from Prince or Princess. Well you know you have a female because it has berries. So, you would probably be safe in getting a Blue Prince to go with it. I would call the nursery where you purchased it and ask about that Blue In.