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Holly: Cuileann: llex aquifolium.

Here in Doon Wood holly grows as a shrub and in the oak woods, it is in the understory. It has sharp spiny leaves at ground level which are avoided by wise grazing animals though the upper leaves may be spineless and smoothed edged and enjoyed by goats and up to the 1950's was used as cattle fodder. One of the 'Seven nobles of the World', it is foremost in the winter wood. Its importance was acknowledged long ago in religious ceremonies and in song and poetry. its seeds are wind blown or bird sown.

The shiny foliage and scarlet berries give colour to the winter landscape, adds sparkle to Christmas indoors and provide tasty morsels for the thrushes and other birds. Placenames associated with 'cullen' or holly are Moycullen, Slieve Guillon, and Hollywood in Wicklow, Down and California!

An individual Holly tree can live for at least 150 years and records mention 250 year olds! The leaves live for at least 5 years in pollution, free areas and will increase in size from the second year onwards.

The timber was used for making inlay and when stained black, has served as a substitute for ebony in piano building; mathematical instruments, knife handles and coffins were all once made from holly.

The Irish Fairies like holly, a 'gentle tree'. Do not use holly shoots in the future to sweep the chimney or it will annoy the fairies. In Co. Tyrone, if a daughter failed to find a husband or the married daughter remained childless, the holly was got rid of as a solution to these problems!

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