Walking the fields to find the perfect live Christmas tree has become a tradition for many families. Not only is the tree an important part of the holidays, but garland, mistletoe, and wreaths as well. The bright red berries of the Holly trees look stunning against the green backdrop of leaves and needles in our decorations. However, if eaten, these beautiful red berries are toxic to animals and small children. When possible, opt for artificial Holly leaves and berry decorations inside the home. After all, no one wants an emergency room visit during the holidays. If you must use live Holly leaves and berries, keep them up high and out of reach of small children and pets. Plus, keep an eye on them as they begin to dry out since the berries will fall off.
Not only is the Holly a toxic plant, but so are mistletoe, lilies, daffodils, poinsettia, amaryllis, and the Christmas cactus. It is best to keep these plants off the floor and out of reach of our pets. We all know how curious cats can be, so even Christmas trees need to be blocked off and out of reach of cats. Otherwise, they can climb the tree, causing it to fall over and potentially injure themselves, as well as breaking ornaments.
Holly trees outside make a beautiful evergreen living fence that is biodegradable and an eco-friendly way to add more greenery to your landscape all year. Like all trees, evergreens help clean the air we breathe and the water we drink. Plus, Nellie Steven Holly trees make great privacy screens year-round. During late fall/early winter, the lush red berries of the holly trees can bring a festive feel to your home during the holidays and add to your outdoor holiday decor! Current Nellie Steven Holly prices and sizes.
Remember, many communities offer curbside pick-up of evergreen Christmas trees after the holidays, which are then turned into mulch for landscaping locally. If your community does not have curbside pick-up, check with your local county recycling centers. To learn more about the interesting tradition of “Decking the Halls” check out our blog post. Have a wonderful holiday season, and stop by to check out our holiday display!
About the Author: Wade Pryor is a professional botanist and the founder of Pryor’s Nursery . Since 1981, he has installed over 82,000 evergreen trees, specializing in “Living Fence” privacy screens across the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more about Wade’s expertise here.
