46 TIMBER TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



The wood is soft, light, straight-drained, not durable ; light 

 brown in color; the thin sapwood hardly distinguishable. Com- 

 mercially it is not distinguished from the wood of Tilia americana. 



Ilex opaca, Aiton. 



(HOLLY.) 



A small tree, with short, slender branches, which form a pyra- 

 midal head, and roughened light gray bark, reaching a height of 

 50 and a diameter of 4 feet. 



At the north it grows in dry gravelly soil ; at the south, in rich, 

 moist situations. It occurs from Massachusetts to Florida ; in the 

 valley of the Mississippi from southern Indiana to the gulf of 

 Mexico; and through Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana to eastern 

 Texas. It is common south of the Hudson in fertile bottom lands, 

 except in the Appalachian region and just w r est of it, where it; is 

 exceedingly rare; and reaches its best development in southern 

 Arkansas and eastern Texas. 



In this State, where it grows to an average height of 30 feet, 

 and an average diameter of 12 inches, it is common except in the 

 mountains. Specimens growing in the coast region are much 

 larger than those found farther inland. 



Fertile trees generally bear seed every year, although not with 

 uniform abundance, and young growth is common in open spots. 

 Old trees do not sprout from the stump as readily as young ones. 



The oval evergreen leaves are thick, leathery and armed with 

 spiny teeth. The flowers are small but conspicuous from their 

 number. The round fruit is about I inch in .diameter, dull red or 

 rarely yellow in color, and remains on the tree during the winter. 

 The winter-buds are short, blunt or pointed, the narrow pointed 

 scales slightly hairy on the margins. The holly has a tap-root 

 and numerous lateral roots. 



The wood is light, tough, not strong, very close-grained ; nearly 

 white in color; the thick sapwood somewhat lighter. It is easily 

 worked, takes a beautiful polish and is much used for cabinet- 

 making, interior finish, and turning. 



