In the lawn adjacent to the sidewalk at Magnolia Ave. entrance of shopping center parking lot.

Holly oak is an evergreen native to Mediterranean regions of Europe and Africa. The common name holly oak refers to its juvenile leaves that are glossy green and toothed, resembling holly. It has been in cultivation in California since 1858. It can grow to over 40 ft. with an equal spread. 

The trees pictured on this page, plus one more, were probably planted around the same time and stand fairly close to each other near the entrance to the parking lot. The health and vigor of the three trees varies widely and illustrates the difference a choice of planting site and water can make. The tree at the top is in a lawn and gets the same water the lawn does. It is shaded on the west by redwoods (planted too close, however, knowing how wide the canopy can grow) and gets sun from the east and a bit from the south. The other two are in cutouts surrounded by asphalt in full sun and get insufficient water, if any at all, in the dry months.

Holly oaks have escaped cultivation in some areas and it is not recommended to plant them in neighborhoods abutting wildlands.