Bryan Tyler Nelson			HOLLY
		HOLLY - (Ilex opaca) Holly has quite a reputation. As the whitest wood known, holly provides inlay for expensive furniture, the bodies of fine brushes, and even imitation ivory piano keys.range that extends south from Massachusetts to Florida and west to the Missouri River, holly varies in size from a bush to a tree of 50' or more in height. Northern winters keep holly small, but it thrives in Arkansas and east Texas. There, holly trees develop a dense, pyramidal shape with many short, horizontal branches. The broad, leathery leaves feature sharp prickles--nature's way of fending off animal browsers. By midwinter, red or yellow berries develop on female trees where blossoms once brightly flowered. The bark of holly tends to be patternless, rough-textured, and medium gray, often with a tinge of olive. Older trees feature wart-like outgrowths. Weighing in at about 36 lbs. per cubic foot dry, holly rates as moderately heavy and hard, but not strong. With indistinct, fine grain, the wood of holly displays no figure. Color ranges from an almost pure white sapwood to heartwood with a creamy tone, and the two can be indistinguishable. To prevent a permanent discoloration called "blue stain," loggers cut holly only in the winter months, and then process it quickly.
	Click image to enlarge. All Bowls below are from Texas Holly.

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