Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak - Evergreen Trees Direct

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Name: Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 620.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$620.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

1000 in stock

Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

100L: 1.4m – 1.6m Approx.

Trade Customers

We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Quercus ilex, commonly known as the Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak, is a majestic, long-lived evergreen tree with dense, rounded foliage and exceptional hardiness. Its leathery, dark green leaves have silver-grey undersides, creating a soft, two-toned effect that adds depth and texture to the landscape. Mature trees form a broad, spreading canopy that provides year-round shade and structure. Typically, it reaches 10–20 metres tall and 10–15 metres wide, though it can be pruned or shaped for formal and architectural plantings.

This Mediterranean species thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. Quercus ilex is highly drought and frost tolerant once established, and its strong root system makes it ideal for coastal and windy environments. Slow-growing but resilient, it is low-maintenance and adaptable, making it an excellent choice for both large estates and urban landscapes.

They look excellent as feature trees, in avenues, or as clipped specimens for formal gardens. The Holm Oak’s combination of rich evergreen foliage, longevity, and toughness makes it a classic choice for both traditional and modern designs.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 10–20 metres

Mature Width: 10–15 metres

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20 – 40 cm per year (slow–moderate).

Frost Tolerance

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak frost tolerant?

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Quercus ilex produces small, inconspicuous catkins in spring. These modest flowers are not ornamental and are followed by the classic oak acorns, which add subtle seasonal interest. The species is prized for its year-round foliage, strong architectural form and ability to maintain a lush green canopy in all seasons.

Native Information

Is Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak an Australian Native? No

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is Native to The Mediterranean region, including southern Europe and North Africa, where Quercus ilex grows naturally in coastal woodlands and dry rocky hills.

Wildlife Value

Its dense, evergreen canopy provides excellent shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, while the leathery foliage supports a variety of beneficial insects that contribute to a healthy ecosystem. The acorns also offer a seasonal food source for birds and wildlife, making the Holm Oak a highly valuable habitat tree in both gardens and larger landscapes.

Sunlight Information

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Quercus ilex performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with a neutral to alkaline pH. It will also tolerate poorer, drier soils provided drainage remains adequate. Avoid heavy clay or compacted ground unless significantly improved, as excess moisture can restrict root health and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak

Genus: Quercus

Botanical Species: Quercus ilex

Family: Fagaceae

Botanical Name: 10–20 metres

Landscape Uses

Feature Tree
Shade Tree
Avenue Planting
Screening or Privacy
Council or Civic Landscapes

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak works in an:

Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

Choose a sunny, open position with free-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball.
Add compost or organic matter before planting.
Water deeply after planting and mulch to conserve soil moisture.
Stake young trees for the first few years to promote upright growth.

Feature Planting: Space 6 – 8 m apart

Shade Canopy: Space 8 – 10 m apart

Avenue Planting: Space 6 – 8 m apart

Water regularly during establishment; minimal watering needed once mature.
Fertilise annually in spring with a slow-release fertiliser.
Prune to shape or maintain as a hedge or formal specimen.

Sandy soils: Excellent; thrives in free-draining coastal soils.
Loamy soils: Ideal for healthy growth and canopy development.
Clay soils: Tolerates light clay with improved drainage.
Coastal soils: Highly tolerant of salt and wind exposure.
Poor soils: Adaptable; improve with compost when planting.

Quercus ilex – Holm Oak / Evergreen Oak is expected to grow 20 – 40 cm per year (slow–moderate).

Slow Growth Rate
Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Subtropical QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish thoroughly. Once established, Holm Oak develops excellent drought tolerance and thrives in hot, dry conditions, thanks to its tough evergreen leaves and deep root system. It maintains strong vigour and canopy density with minimal supplementary watering, even in exposed or coastal sites.