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A truly handsome holly tree is a cherished possession. 
growth, beautiful foliage and abundance of crimson fruit is not 
just a matter of chance but the result of good selection and 
proper planting and maintenance, A little time spent doing the 
right thing at the rignt time can be a long term investment in 
year round beauty. We hope the following cultural suggzesiions 
will be of help to you. 
HOLLY POLINATION. Hollies are different from most trees and shrubs 
in that they are dioecious, that is, the male or pollen bearing 
flowers are on one tree and the female or berry producing flowers 
are on another, Pollen is carried by insects, mostly honey bees, 
so to insure good crops of berries the two should be planted not 
too far from each other. Of course the male and female must be 
of the same species, One male can supply pollen for about ten 
females. 
WHEN TO PLANT HOLLY. Like most plants, hollies are best planted 
when dormant. Trees several years old may be planted in either 
spring or fall but small potted plants in spring only; however, 
hollies two years old or more that have been grown in cans or 
wire baskets may be planted at any time of year the soil is in 
good condition. 
WHERE TO PLANT. It is best to give red berried evergreen hollies 
some protection from strong winter winds in the colder areas. 
Most hollies (except some southern varieties) can withstand very 
cold weather but a quick drop in temperature is not good, especially 
for some of the less hardy. A good location is one that provides 
light shade on late winter afternoons, 
SPACE REQUIRED. Hollies are too beautiful to spoil by crowding. 
Bush varieties require little space but American and English 
hollies should have an area of at least sixteen feet in diameter. 
THE HOLE. No matter how small the tree is, dig a FIG hole; three 
feet or more in diameter and two feet deep. If the soil is heavy 
clay make it ever larger and deeper and fill the bottom with 
gravel to assure good drainage. For hollies at least, the old 
saying "spend more on the hole than you do on the tree" is true. 
PLANTING. Holly grows best in well drained, humus-rich soil. 
One third or more of peat moss, sawdust, leafmold or lime-free 
compost well mixed with soil is ideal, If the tree is a small 
potted one, completely fill the hole with the soil-numus, well 
packed, then re-dig a little hole in the center and plant. [If 
the tree is balled or has been grown in a can or wire basket, fill 
the hole with the soil humus mixture to a depth that will bring the 
tree to the same level as in the nursery. Leave burlap, can or 
wire basket on (can should have slits made in sides with hatchet ) 
and when hole is three fourths full, run water in slowly until 
st overflows. After water has settled fill hole to top. 
WATERING. Continue to soak the soil thoroughly once a week for 
the first summer, except when rainfall is ample. Always make sure 
there is plenty of water in the soil just before freezing weather, 
FERTILIZING. Cotton seed meal and castor pomace are good organic 
fertilizers especially when combined with tobacco dust or stems. 
Give a double handfull to a little plant to a bucket full for a 
six foot tree. If stable manure is used it should be well rotted. 
'Holly-tonet is excellent. It is a 4-6-8, 80% organic fertilizer 
with trace elements and an acid base. If used sparingly commer- 
cial fertilizer such as 5-10-5 can be used to supplement organic 
applications, As the tree matures the amount of nitrogen should 
be reduced in order to make less branch growth, eight inches being 
dag 
about right. Fertilize in early spring, applying at least as far 
out as the branches extend. Holly prefers a slightlv acid soil, 
about pH 6.0 is dest. 
