Quercus ilex, Holm oak

Holm oak is extremely widespread in the Mediterranean. It will safely tolerate temperatures down to at least -25 degrees. At such temperatures damage of the leaves will begin. This lovely evergreen tree is suitable for park and street landscaping in most of Bulgaria.

We have old trees here and there around the country, planted during the socialism, mainly in various experimental stations, botanical gardens or parks. Although these trees grow beautifully in our climate and bear fruits, any serious efforts to promote them were never taken.
In our nursery, located on the open field between Plovdiv and Asenovgrad, where minimum temperatures often compete with those in the coldest places in Bulgaria, the Holm oak thrives and grows quite fast. The small plants that we planted a few years ago in our botanical garden, are already a trees, quite reminiscent of olives.

The name of the holm oak comes from his extremely hard wood (here's another reason to grow it - because of the widespread use of wood). Needless to say, how valuable is such hardwood. The Holm oak is completely drought resistant and can safely be planted for reforestation of dry slopes and hills.