Can anyone id this tree/bush... Oak/Holly cross?

[Hoonabator]

Growing in the middle of an old woodland. Only this one plant amongst loads of hollys and old Oaks. Stands out like a sore thumb. Has the texture of an Oak leaf but looks like a holly isn't at all 'waxy/plasticy' like a holly.

Don't laugh but does a Hollyoak exist??

[HarryW]

If its evergreen and has acorns it's probably Holm/Holm Oak/Evergreen Oak.

[mybrainhurts]

Triffid...run away

[Simpo Two]

There's something Mahonia-like about it.

[mybrainhurts]

Thought that was a font..?

[Mr GrimNasty]

As Harry says, probably Quercus Ilex, Quercus being the oak family name and Ilex (and Holm) being (old) names for holly. As the tree gets older and higher up the leaves look less and less like holly, losing any spikes/serrations, but they are highly variable. It is evergreen but tends to shed all its leaves every now and then. Somehow this tree has suddenly entered the top 10 of most deadly alien invaders despite being here for 500 odd years without issue!

[SPR2]

Could it be - the creeping Oregan Grape - Berberis Nervosa.?There is also a tall variety.

[Mr GrimNasty]

Having looked it up(!) no, although the individual leaf shape is similar the pinnate structure isn't present in the photo above.

[Hoonabator]

PH is great isn't it. Wasn't expecting any answers really.

The bush is about 3' high at the moment and evergreen although there is the odd brown leaf like that in the picture. Wouldn't say it's invasive at the moment, it's the only one in the area that I've seen.

[Mr GrimNasty]

Yes, I most often see isolated specimens in the wild, eventually they make a large tree. Although there may be some sites where the squirrels spread it around like a weed, putting it up there with things like knotweed is ridiculous. They also mention Turkey Oak in this article, but there are several near me with Tree Preservation Orders on them! http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9...

[Simpo Two]

mybrainhurts said:

Thought that was a font..?

No, Mahonia was the daughter of Greek goddess Diabetes.

[mybrainhurts]

Simpo Two said:

mybrainhurts said:

Thought that was a font..?

No, Mahonia was the daughter of Greek goddess Diabetes.

Well, bugger me with a soggy leek...