I should be a large image.

English Holly

Ilex aquifolium

Updated Jun 15, 2023

Make a Positive Identification

English holly is a common landscape plant used for hedges and screens.
It grows 20–50 feet tall as a compact tree. Holly is also pruned as a hedge.
As a weedy plant, English holly grows in the understory of parks and neglected areas.

Species: English holly

"Hulst (Ilex aquifolium)" by jpockele is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

English holly has waxy, evergreen leaves with spines along the edges. Wear thick gloves and clothing to handle holly plants. The spines hurt.

Species: English holly

"Fruit Holly (Ilex aquifolium)" by Kentish Plumber is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Red holly berries are about 1/4 inch in diameter. Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds.

Species: English holly

John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

There are numerous cultivars of English holly with distinct traits. The photo shows a cultivar with variegated leaves.

Free help Identifying Weeds, Insects & Pests

Get expert pest management info & advice online from OSU's Ask Extension.

Get Help

LOOKALIKES: Oregon Grape

Species: Oregon Grape

Oregon grape leaves opposite each other on stem

matricul, iStock

Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.) leaves are arranged opposite each other along the stem as highlighted by the white box in the photo. The berries are purple when ripe. Oregon grape is a native plant. It is widely found in forest understories in the Pacific Northwest. It is commonly planted in landscapes.

Helpful

Oregon grape attracts pollinators and wildlife. Control is not needed.

Species: English Holly

"Hulst (Ilex aquifolium)" by jpockele is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Small English holly plants might be confused with Oregon grape. Both plants have evergreen leaves with spines. Holly leaves are arranged alternately to each other along the stem as highlighted by the white box in the photo.

English Holly Benefits

English holly is a good hedge plant where not invasive and attractive in the winter landscape.
Holly is used in floral arrangements and holiday decorations.

English Holly Risks

A dense stand of English holly displaces and excludes desirable forest understory plants.
Birds eat the fruit. The birds spread the seeds in their droppings. This is an important way English holly spreads into natural areas.

Risk Card

Does it cause harm?

Adults & Children

Some

Property

High

Pets

None

Annoyance

High

Environment

High

Action Recommended

TAKE ACTION

In landscape areas where English holly is planted, prevent it from producing berries by pruning it regularly.
Remove unwanted English holly plants before they become a bigger problem.

Do I need to take action?

Yes. For landscape areas where English holly was planted, prevent it from producing berries. Remove unwanted English holly plants before they become a bigger problem.

At minimum, keep desired English holly hedges from forming berries by regular pruning. See preventive measures.

What if I do nothing?

If no action is taken, English holly will spread from landscapes into natural areas. Dense thickets will displace desirable forest understory plants.
The longer you wait to act, the more time and effort will be required to control it.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon and other states can suggest other methods.

Solutions for English Holly

Early Detection and Rapid Response

Watch for English holly on property you manage. Remove it before it becomes a bigger problem.

Physical Removal of Plants and Non-Chemical Options

Remove English holly seedlings and saplings with digging tools. Remove as much of the root as possible.
Once established, English holly is difficult to remove without heavy equipment.
Roots must be killed or English holly grows back.
Prune English holly to keep it from producing berries. Birds eat the berries and spread the seeds to new areas.

Herbicides (Weed Killers)

Herbicides effectively control English holly when used according to label directions.

Monitoring and Follow-up

In areas where unwanted English holly grows, expect new seedlings to emerge for many years.
Survey your property every year for newly established English holly plants. Take action as needed.

Method	Does it work?	Is it safe?	Recommendation
A Physically Remove Plants	Effective	Low risk	Recommended
B Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate	Effective	Moderate risk	Use if Necessary
C If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks
D Prevent English Holly

Physically Remove Plants

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Physically Remove Plants

Recommended

Dig out individual plants and small patches. Remove the roots. Remaining roots may regrow stems.

Does it work?	Effective Several years of monitoring and effort are required to get rid of English holly. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	High effort Cut and remove stems to gain access to roots. Dig out the roots with tools. Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?	Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	NONE

Control large English holly plants by cutting stems near the ground. Expect regrowth from the stem below the cut. Plan further action to kill the new shoots.
Dig or pull out plants when the soil is moist. Soil disturbance encourages seed to germinate.
Use a chipper to dispose of the plants or compost them in place.

Worker using weed wrench tool to remove a shrub

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Manual removal of English holly is effective but labor-intensive. Use of a Weed Wrench™ or similar tool makes it easier to remove smaller English holly shrubs.
If roots are not completely removed, stems will regrow.

A selection of hand tools for removing holly plants

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Cut stems with loppers or saw. Dig out the root crown with picks, shovels, or similar tools.
Remove as much root crown as possible from the soil.

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Roots and stems may be composted onsite.
Or dispose of them in your green bin or local green waste composting facility.

English holly removal tips

The best time to pull plants out of the ground is following rain and before warm, dry weather. Pulling English holly plants out of moist soil is recommended.
Soil disturbance encourages seed to germinate. Return to the site and kill seedlings.
For larger shrubs, cut the plant below the soil line or dig out the roots. Expect regrowth from any remaining roots.
Dispose of berries in a plastic bag. Put the bag in the trash.
Roots and stems can be composted onsite. Or dispose of them in your green bin or local green waste composting facility.

Soil Disturbance and Erosion

Minimize soil disturbance as much as possible when removing English holly.
Regrade the soil after digging up roots. Apply mulch (when appropriate).
Take steps to prevent erosion as needed.
Replant the area to shade English holly seedlings.

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Chemical Method: Use with caution

Chameleonseye, iStock

Herbicides Triclopyr and Glyphosate

Use if Necessary

Herbicide products that contain the active ingredients triclopyr and glyphosate effectively kill English holly when used according to label directions

Does it work?	Effective It requires several years of monitoring and effort to get rid of English holly. Use preventive measures for best results.
How much effort?	Moderate effort Treat individual English holly plants and patches. Return to the area each year and take action as needed.
What's the risk?	Moderate risk Herbicides come with real risks. ALWAYS read the entire label front to back. Review instructions even for brands you know. Herbicides can run off your site into waterways and may harm wildlife. See How to Keep Pesticides Out of Waterways.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals	Using herbicides includes some amount of risk. The lowest risk comes with using alternative methods. You may be exposed to an herbicide if you: Get it on your skin Breathe it in Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands Touch or eat plants that are wet with spray (you, pets, or children) Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes Follow directions closely to reduce risk.

Herbicides with active ingredients triclopyr and/or glyphosate used individually or in a mixture are effective chemical treatments for English holly. Look for these chemical names in the “Active Ingredients” section of product labels.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient triclopyr

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example product label highlights active ingredient triclopyr. The text on the label states “Kills completely — stumps and roots won’t grow.”
Triclopyr doesn’t injure most grasses. It is a good choice for treating English holly that is growing next to desired grasses in lawn, pasture, and meadow areas.
Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray during the same time period.

Photo of herbicide label highlighting active ingredient glyphosate

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

The white box on the example label highlights active ingredient glyphosate. Text on the label states “Kills grass and weeds around flower beds, trees, shrubs....”
A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray January through March.
Glyphosate will damage most plants and grasses. Don’t let the spray contact plants you want to keep.

Herbicide Application Tips

Premixed products are available in hardware stores and garden centers.
Apply herbicide to English holly when it is actively growing. Treat it before fruit develops to minimize seed production.
Common herbicide application techniques include foliar, cut-stump, and basal bark application. See examples below.
Triclopyr works well as a cut-stump treatment January through March. A mix of glyphosate and triclopyr may be an effective foliar spray in the same time period.
Look for English holly regrowth and new seedlings. Control it as needed.

Minimize the potential impact of herbicides to bees and other pollinators. Treat English holly plants before they flower. If plants are blooming when you need to treat them, use the cut-stump or basal-bark herbicide application technique. Avoid spraying pollinators directly. For more information, see OSU’s How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides.

Herbicide Application Methods

Foliar (leaves), basal-bark, and cut-stump application methods all effectively kill English holly. Choose the right method for your situation.

Worker spraying herbicide on 2-3 feet tall plants

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Foliar (Leaves) Application

English holly’s waxy leaves make foliar applications less effective than the basal-bark and cut-stump methods.
Spraying herbicide on the foliage of English holly is only practical when it can be done without damaging nearby plants you want to keep.
Foliar glyphosate applications on woody plants are best done after flowering into early fall. Triclopyr can be used earlier. Triclopyr doesn’t damage grass, which reduces hawthorn seed germination.
A backpack sprayer is effective for treating small areas.
For extensive infestations start with a foliar application to kill the seedlings, saplings, and shoots. Then follow up with a basal bark or cut stump applications on the remaining stems. Or, wait and make additional foliar applications.

Diagram of basal-bark herbicide application technique

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Basal-Bark Application

This works best for stems that are less than 6 inches in diameter.
Concentrated herbicide (oil soluble) is mixed with another ingredient (adjuvant), typically a seed oil.
The mixture is sprayed on stems from the ground to a height of 12–18 inches.
The plant absorbs the herbicide sprayed in the trunk. The herbicide moves to the roots.

Gloved hand spraying herbicide with dye on cut stump

Lyon Duong, UF/IFAS

Cut-Stump Application

Cut stems as close to the ground level as possible.
Remove sawdust and debris from the cut.
Apply concentrated herbicide to the area just inside the bark. This area has living tissue (cambium) that will transport the herbicide to the roots.
Apply herbicide as soon as possible after cutting the stem.
For cut-stump applications, triclopyr is more effective during the early summer. Glyphosate is more effective when applied from mid-summer to leaf fall.

If Using Herbicides, Protect Yourself & Minimize Risks

Chemical Method: Use with Caution

BrianLasenby, iStock

Why is it important to read herbicide labels?

They have detailed information on how to use the product correctly and legally.
They contain information on potential hazards of the product.
They provide instructions you should follow for poisonings and spills.
Following label instructions helps you to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.

Key Herbicide Safety Tips

Read the entire label front to back.
Follow the instructions.
Review the instructions even for brands you know.
Only apply the product where the label says it may be applied.
Be precise in your application. More is not better.

The Label is the Law

ALWAYS read the label before using herbicide products. The label is a legal document that provides information on how to safely use the herbicide. This helps avoid harm to human health and the environment. Using an herbicide in off-label ways is illegal. It can result in legal enforcement actions.

READ THE LABEL & Follow Instructions
It has instructions to protect you and the environment.

Labels are different for every product and they often change over time.
Use a magnifying glass if needed.
Pay attention to CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER statements.
Pay attention to the PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS.
The law states you must read and follow herbicide instructions.

Protect Yourself
Eye, skin & lung irritants

Wear the right protective gear. This often includes chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses, a long-sleeve shirt, pants, socks, and shoes.
Mix outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
Wash hands after mixing or applying, and before eating or smoking.
Take a shower immediately after handling herbicides.
Wash clothes worn while mixing or applying separately from other laundry.

Protect Children & Pets
Children and pets are at risk if they eat or touch the plants before it dries.

Keep them away during and after applying herbicides (read label for how long).
Remove toys and pet dishes from yard before applying.
Don’t track herbicide products into your home on shoes or clothes.

Protect Pollinators

Apply in the early morning or evening when bees are less active.
Kill weeds before they flower. Avoid spraying flowering plants.
Do not spray on bees or insects.

Protect Plants You Want to Keep

Glyphosate and similar herbicide ingredients damage both grass and broadleaf plants.
Minimize spraying of foliage, stems, exposed roots, or the trunks of desirable shrubs or trees to avoid harm.
Follow the label to avoid damaging the roots of trees and shrubs.

Avoid Wet, Windy, or Hot Weather
Use during favorable weather for best results.

Don’t spray when it’s raining or when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
Wind causes spray to drift that can get on you and desired plants.
Herbicides may be less effective in hot weather if the target plants are moisture-stressed.
Some herbicides can turn into a vapor in hot weather and damage nearby plants.

Don’t Spray into Water

It’s illegal to apply herbicides in a stream or slow moving/wetland pool.
You need a product registered for aquatic areas. This includes waterways, ditches, drains, and other places where water collects.

Storage & Disposal

Store in a secure area away from children.
Don’t put unused herbicide products in the trash.
Never pour down any drain or waterway.
Take unused herbicides to a hazardous waste facility.

Call 1-800-CLEANUP (1-800-253-2687) to find out where to dispose of herbicides.

For the Portland metro region in Oregon, contact Metro’s Recycling Information. Call 503-234-3000, email or visit Metro’s website

More about:

About Using Pesticides on School Grounds in Oregon

If using pesticides on school grounds, there are special rules in Oregon. See School Integrated Pest Management (Oregon Department of Agriculture).