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Quercus ilex L.

A centuries-old tree grows in a sparse holm oak grove in Montagna Longa, a district of Cinisi (PA). That very holm oak stands on a steep limestone soil among outcropping rocks. It’s between 400 and 500 years old, 72-ft tall, and features a sturdy trunk with prominent ribs and a thick and cracked bark. Its circumference reaches 18.3 ft, while it’s already 18-ft wide at the height of 4.2 ft from the ground. At that very height, the tree is split into two large branches of the first order, respectively 11 and 13 ft-thick. The foliage is broad, cylindrical and asymmetrical, more developed towards south-east; near the bottom of the tree, it runs parallel to the sloping ground, “shaped” by hungry grazing cattle.

How to get there

From the town of Cinisi, follow the roadsigns to the Sanctuary of “Madonna del Furi”, then continue towards Piano Margi, along the Provincial Road, and eventually reach Montagna Longa.

Botanical Card

In Italy, this species is most widespread in the Ionian and Tyrrhenian regions, as well as on the major islands, while on the Adriatic side it is found quite sporadically.
There are two groups of relic trees belonging to warmer periods on the Euganean Hills and around the city of Ferrara.

The northernmost point of growth of the holm oak is in the Carnic Prealps, on vertical cliffs exposed to the south.

The holm oak is an evergreen plant with leathery leaves that form a dark green crown.

The species is xerotolerant, prefers protective shading in the juvenile phase and adapts well to different types of soils but avoids clayey-compact ones with any water stagnation.

The wood is hard and difficult to process and season as it tends to warp and split. It was once used to build tools or parts of farming wagons due to its extreme durability. It can be used as excellent fuel or very good coal.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)