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What is the wood of a holly tree used for?
Common Uses: Inlays, furniture, piano keys (dyed black), broom and brush handles, turned objects, and other small novelty items. Comments: Holly is typically used only for ornamental and decorative purposes.
What are holly plants used for?
English holly and American holly are used as ornamental Christmas greens. The leaves of these and other holly species are used to make medicine. The berries are very poisonous and should not be swallowed. Historically, American holly fruit tea was used as a heart stimulant by American Indians.
What is special about holly trees?
Holly is well known for its tough, spiny leaves; the long, needle-like spines are a very successful deterrent to browsing animals. But look high up in a holly tree canopy and you might notice the leaves are less spiny. Unless giraffes are wandering around our countryside, fewer spines are needed high up.
What is the legend of the holly tree?
Traditionally, the Holly tree is highly sacred in Celtic mythology and symbolises peace and goodwill. Due to its resistance to lightning, it is associated with the Celtic and Norse gods of thunder, Taranis and Thor, and so was planted near dwellings to protect people from lightning strikes.
Is a holly tree protected?
The tree once sacred to the Celts is in danger of becoming extinct as it is no longer protected under the Brehon laws. In the Brehon laws, holly is listed as one of the seven noble trees, alongside oak, hazel, yew, ash, pine and apple, Mr O Coileain explained.
Is holly a hardwood or softwood?
Holly timber is a very hard dense fine grained hardwood, and the whitest of all timber species. Its also felled in many gardens in the UK.
Does holly have any medicinal properties?
More recently, preparations of holly leaf have been used for coughs, digestive disorders, water retention, and yellowed skin (jaundice). Ilex aquifolium leaves are used for treating fevers that come and go, joint pain (rheumatism), swelling, water retention, and chest congestion.
Are holly trees bad?
Because of its invasive nature and that the spiny leaves and berries can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans, dogs and cats, we recommend removing existing English holly plants from your property. It’s easiest when they’re small.