🌳Tree of the Month for January 2026

Howdy, park-goers—it’s time for the January Tree of the Month!

This month, we’re highlighting Ilex opaca, commonly known as American holly or Christmas holly.

American holly brings a welcome pop of vibrant green to the park during the dormant winter months. This upright, pyramidal evergreen is native to the eastern and central United States, where it naturally grows in moist woodlands, forested bottomlands, swamp edges, and even coastal dunes. Its broad native range stretches from Massachusetts west to Ohio, south through West Virginia and southeastern Missouri, and into parts of Texas and Florida.

Known for its slow growth, American holly typically reaches 20–30 feet tall in urban landscapes but has been documented growing up to 50 feet in its native forest habitat. It is easily identifiable as the only native U.S. holly with spiny, evergreen foliage and bright red berries. Its thick, leathery leaves measure 2–4 inches long and feature sharp, spiny margins.

American holly is a dioecious species, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate trees. When female trees are pollinated, they produce bright red or orange fruits that ripen in the fall and persist through winter. These berries are an important food source for native birds during colder months. Historically, the combination of glossy green leaves and vibrant berries has also made American holly a popular choice for winter décor—giving rise to its well-known nickname, Christmas holly.

Today, more than 150 American holly specimens can be found throughout the park’s arboretum. They are a beautiful part of our collection year-round, but there’s something especially magical about spotting their red berries against a snowy winter landscape.

As you wander Tower Grove Park this winter, keep an eye out for these striking evergreens—they’re hard to miss and well worth the pause.