Re: Quercus Ilex

Pamela Steele wrote:
I have been advised that I can plant some Holm Oaks (Quercus Ilex) under and between Mediterranean Pine Trees as a screening tree for a coastal Costa Blanca garden. I have found out since that it is 'slow growing' but I cannot seem to find out how many feet per year it will grow. I need something which will grow to about 20 feet fairly quickly. Other ideas for this problem area are much appreciated.
Hi Pamela
For almost all trees there is a simple relationship between fast growth and longevity and those which rocket up commonly do not last very long. Oaks in contrast are among the sturdy survivors, most being very long-lived with many species surviving several hundred years and consequently relativly leisurly about their growth. I don't have any local figures for Q.ilex but one of my NZ books gives expected height of several other species in ten years and they seem to average between 18 and 25 feet, which may be enough for your purposes. I would however expect if Q.ilex is a typical oak that it will be several years establising itself before there is much increase in height. They seem to spend the first 2 or 3 years just putting down roots while the top scarcely grows at all. Incidently, I don't know what height you envisage for your final screen, but holm oaks will eventually reach 70-90 feet!

If a quick-growing screen of modest height is what you want I suggest you might consider some of the Auatralian trees for your fillers, either the smaller Eucalypts or some of the wattles (Acacias) or both. Many of their species, especially in the latter genus do well in Med. conditions and are commonly used for screening, at least on this side of the world.

Moira

--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ. Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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