Is this Ilex opaca? It is a volunteer growing in very dry, shady conditions under a pine tree. It was growing right against a 4' picket fence until recently, which might account for some of the lopsidedness. I'm ashamed to say I neglected it just because I didn't buy it. It might not show in the photo, but the leader broke off at some point and it's trying to send up a new one.
Will it get more horizontal branches if I cut it back?
This message was edited Dec 7, 2013 1:29 PM
Yep, Ilex opaca. Compared to I. aquifolium (European Holly), the leaves are matt (not glossy) and fairly flat (not with alternate spines pointing strongly up and down)
Resin
Yay, I have a string of natives! I guess the birds ate berries from other plants (not these - no berries that I've seen) while sitting on the fence, as they tend to do. I just found a tiny little seedling today. It's growing in an inconvenient place, so I'll put it next to its siblings.
