Holm oak - Quercus ilex

The holm oak also known as yeuse in Provence is an evergreen forest tree that has become emblematic of the Mediterranean region. With a legendary lifespan and undeniable robustness, this tree stands out for its picturesque beauty which makes it both endearing and timeless.

The Quercus ilex dominates the landscape of plains and hills in the South of France, particularly in Corsica. It belongs to the fagaceae family. Its growth is very slow, only reaching 3m (9.8ft) in 20 years, and its mature size is about 15m (49.2ft) in height with a trunk circumference of 2 to 3m (6.6 - 9.8ft). However, it boasts impressive longevity, with individuals easily reaching 1000 years and more. Wild and sturdy, behind its opulent silhouette and its dark and dense canopy the holm oak reveals a surprising colour palette full of contrasts that is enriched by textures and shapes.

Its smooth ash-grey bark cracks and scales over the seasons, turning charcoal black, sometimes sulfur yellow under the influence of lichens that colonize it. Its tough foliage, dark green on the top and silver-grey underneath remains present throughout the year. The leaves, sometimes entire, sometimes dentate, carried by compact branches and twigs that twist in a thousand contortions, create a beautiful tortuous effect. The fruits are acorns, some large and obtuse, while others are tiny and round like marbles.

With great hardiness and simplicity, the holm oak is indifferent to the nature of the soil. It is capable of withstanding drought and the most extreme temperature variations, from intense cold to scorching heat, as long as it is exposed to sunlight.

Planting this tree will allow you to recreate a fragment of the Mediterranean scrubland in your garden by shaping a cultivated copse around its trunk. Plant it as a solitary specimen or in a grove, combining perennials, bushes, and Mediterranean trees (Lychnis, Salvia, Ballota, Ciste, Teucrium, Phlomis, and arbustus unedo).