Tree with spiky leaves and red berries
Hollies Get Prickly for a Reason
A new study explores how prickly holly leaves fight back against nibbling animals.
Photograph by Robin Smith, Photolibrary/Getty Images
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With shiny evergreen leaves and bright red berries, holly trees are a naturally festive decoration seen throughout the Christmas season.
They're famously sharp. But not all holly leaves are prickly, even on the same tree. And scientists now think they know how the plants are able to make sharper leaves, seemingly at will. (Watch a video about how Christmas trees are made.)
A new study published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society suggests leaf variations on a single tree are the combined result of animals browsing on them and the trees' swift molecular response to that sort of environmental pressure.
Carlos Herrera of the National Research Council of Spain led the study in southeastern Spain. He and his team investigated the European holly tree, Ilex aquifolium. Hollies, like other plants, can make different types of leaves at the same time. This is called heterophylly. Out of the 40 holly trees they studied, 39 trees displayed different kinds of leaves, both prickly and smooth.
Five holly leaves from the same tree.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY EMMANUEL LATTES, ALAMY
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Some trees looked like they had been browsed upon by wild goats and deer. On those trees, the lower 8 feet (2.5 meters) had more prickly leaves, while higher up the leaves tended to be smooth. Scientists wanted to figure out how the holly trees could make the change in leaf shape so quickly.
All of the leaves on a tree are genetic twins and share exactly the same DNA sequence. By looking in the DNA for traces of a chemical process called methylation, which modifies DNA but doesn't alter the organism's genetic sequence, the team could determine whether leaf variation was a response to environmental or genetic changes.
They found a relationship between recent browsing by animals, the growth of prickly leaves, and methylation.
"In holly, what we found is that the DNA of prickly leaves was significantly less methylated than prickless leaves, and from this we inferred that methylation changes are ultimately responsible for leaf shape changes," Herrera said. "The novelty of our study is that we show that these well-known changes in leaf type are associated with differences in DNA methylation patterns, that is, epigenetic changes that do not depend on variation in the sequence of DNA."
"Heterophylly is an obvious feature of a well-known species, and this has been ascribed to browsing. However, until now, no one has been able to come up with a mechanism for how this occurs," said Mike Fay, chief editor of the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society and head of genetics at the Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. "With this new study, we are now one major step forward towards understanding how."
Epigenetic changes take place independently of variation in the genetic DNA sequence.
(Read more about epigenetics in National Geographic magazine's "A Thing or Two About Twins.")
"This has clear and important implications for plant conservation," Herrera said. In natural populations that have their genetic variation depleted by habitat loss, the ability to respond quickly, without waiting for slower DNA changes, could help organisms survive accelerated environmental change. The plants' adaptability, he says, is an "optimistic note" amidst so many conservation concerns. (Related: "Wild Holly, Mistletoe, Spread With Warmer Winters.")
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Trees with red berries: our favorite red berry trees
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(Image credit: Phil Bird / Getty Images)
Trees with red berries will provide interest in fall and winter, adding joyful color when the rest of nature is winding down. However, some varieties will add an accent in the summer, and many have beautiful flowers in the spring, too.
There are trees with red berries to suit every garden setting, and the right choice will add seasonal impact to your backyard ideas.
‘Trees with red berries are decorative and offer visual interest, especially during the winter months,’ says Pete Smith, urban forestry program manager at Arbor Day Foundation . ‘Many of the berries can also be collected for consumption and provide valuable food for wildlife.’
Trees with red berries
These are our favorite trees with red berries. Several varieties can be grown as evergreen hedges, which makes them some of the best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard.
When choosing trees with red berries to suit your garden, you must only plant species that will thrive in your area.
Knowing your USDA plant hardiness zone is essential, and happily there are options for almost every climate.
You also need to ensure your chosen tree is compatible with your soil type, the level of sunlight it will receive, and how much maintenance you are able to provide.
Check its maximum size and growth rate to ensure it won't outgrow your yard, and learn how to plant a tree correctly.
Finally, consider whether you want a tree with edible red berries, or are only concerned with its ornamental value.
‘As a longtime forager and permaculture gardener, my favorite trees with red berries all have edible or medicinal fruit,’ says Susannah Shmurak, founder of the HealthyGreenSavvy.com blog.
Many berries are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and can be made into everything from jellies to alcoholic beverages. Before eating any berries, however, you must be certain of the variety, as some are poisonous or require cooking before consuming.
1.
Hawthorn(Image credit: Perytskyy/Getty Images)
A familiar sight in hedgerows, the hawthorn tree – Crataegus monogyna – also makes a valuable addition to gardens, as its appealing red berries, or ‘haws’, endure through fall and into the winter.
‘The hawthorn tree is a beautiful landscape tree that provides bright colored berries enjoyed by birds, squirrels, rabbits and deer,’ says Smith.
You can consume the haws, as long as you cook them first. ‘Hawthorn berries are prized for their medicinal value, especially for promoting heart health,’ says Shmurak.
To eat hawthorn berries, they are at their best when used to make a sauce, but can also be added to an apple jelly, used to make ‘fruit leather’, or even wine.
In terms of variety, Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, small space gardening consultant at Housegrail , favors the green hawthorn ‘Winter King’. ‘This is one of the trees that display red berries on their branches while the rest of the trees are bare,’ she says.
‘They bloom in the mid to late spring and make a great addition to your yard.’
You should be able to grow hawthorn trees in zones 5 to 9, in most soil types. Ideally they need full sun. Most hawthorns will reach between 15-30ft.
2. Holly
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Not just a symbol of Christmas, holly is one of the best trees with red berries to include in your winter garden ideas. ‘A good option is American holly – Ilex opaca – which has glossy, green leaves all winter long and great red berries used regularly in holiday wreaths,’ says Smith.
Holly trees grow well in zones 5-9, and will tolerate partial shade and most soil types. They can eventually reach as tall as 50ft, but you will need more than one tree to get berries, as they don't self-pollinate.
Arborist Mark Russell believes English holly – Ilex aquifolium – is one of the best trees for privacy. ‘While many people use arborvitae or Leyland cypress as privacy screens, they have their drawbacks due to fungus weaknesses,' he says.
'Instead, I recommend homeowners go with an English holly, as they are hearty cultivars, produce fantastic red berries, and make great privacy screens.’
3. Mountain ash – rowanberry
(Image credit: Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo / Gerry Images)
Yielding bright red rowanberries in late summer to early winter, and frothy white blossom in the spring, the mountain ash – Sorbus aucuparia – is an attractive garden tree. The leaves turn a stunning shade of orange in the fall, making it one of the best trees for autumn color.
‘The stunning mountain ash tree produces masses of attractive fruit that birds eat in the winter – and the determined forager can use them if they're willing to make an effort,’ says Shmurak.
While not one of the tastiest berries, rowanberries are rich in vitamin C and have anti-inflammatory properties. However, you do need to freeze them for a couple of weeks before cooking them, and they take a lot of sugar to counteract their bitterness.
Shmurak recommends turning rowanberries into jelly, vinegar, wine, or even Turkish delight.
In the right setting, mountain ash trees are hardy, but they don’t like extreme heat and humidity. You should be able to grow them in zones 3-6, where they can reach around 30ft. Rowanberries will tolerate partial shade and like well-drained soil.
4. Cherry tree
(Image credit: Steve Smith / Getty Images)
‘Cherry trees are one of my all-time favorite trees with red ‘berries’. Not only do they produce delicious fruit, but the flowers are beautiful too,’ says Barbosa Fernandes.
Unlike many of the other trees featured in this list, cherries ripen during the summer. However, the trees’ stunning blossom often heralds the end of winter, and is one of the first signs that spring is on the way.
There are numerous types of cherry tree you can grow, with options for zones 3-9. Sweet varieties need full sun, but more acidic cooking cherries will grow in partial shade.
'Sweetheart' is a lovely late season variety that has bright red cherries, and is self-fertile.
Cherry trees come in a range of sizes, and dwarf varieties are some of the best trees to grow in pots, so you can position them on the patio.
However, even if you don’t have room for a potted cherry you can still enjoy these wonderful trees: ‘There are many festivals around the United States where you can see cherry trees in full bloom, and then later in the year go try some of the cherries yourself,’ adds Barbosa Fernandes.
5. Chokecherry
(Image credit: Akchamczuk / Getty Images)
The chokecherry tree – Prunus virginiana – is native to North America. ‘It’s a smaller tree with a dark red fleshy fruit that can be used to make jams, jellies, syrups and wines,’ says Smith.
Packed with antioxidants, chokecherries can be astringent when not fully ripe, although cultivated varieties are sweeter with a cherry-like flavor.
In spring and summer, the tree bursts with clusters of white flowers, making it attractive in the garden for much of the year.
Reaching up to 30ft, the chokecherry is a versatile tree that grows in zones 2-8.
6. Red chokeberry
(Image credit: R Ann Kautzky / Alamy Stock Photo)
Not to be confused with the similarly named chokecherry, the chokeberry is a very different plant, though both are named for the effect the fruit can have on the palate.
Technically it’s an upright treelike shrub, and while common varieties are dark blue/purple, the red chokeberry – Aronia arbutifolia – is a stunning shiny ruby hue.
‘In the spring, they have gorgeous white flowers that eventually give way to the bright red berries in the summer months until late fall,’ says Jen Stark, gardening and home writer, and founder of Happy DIY Home .
‘Additionally, the leaves turn brilliant colors in the fall to give you multi-season interest. The berries are too bitter to eat raw, but you can use them in desserts or savory dishes to help balance out the flavor profile.’
This deciduous shrub gets between 6.
5-13ft tall and has large leaves, making it one of the best trees for small gardens.
7. Mulberry tree
(Image credit: YONCA60/Getty Images)
‘Red mulberry trees – Morus rubra – are wonderful because they produce an immense amount of fruit when in season,’ says Russell.
‘The fruit that they produce is really similar to raspberries, or blackberries. It's super sweet and more than anything super plentiful.’
Mulberry trees can reach up to 80ft, and can be grown in zones 4-9, tolerating part shade.
However, Russell warns not to plant one over your driveway or a walkway – ‘because all of those berries can stain.’ For this reason, mulberries may not be the best trees for front yards.
8. Juneberries
(Image credit: Akchamczuk / Getty Images)
‘Though the ripest berries are a bit on the purply side, my favorite trees with red berries are hands-down juneberries – Amelanchier alnifolia – also known as serviceberry or saskatoon,’ says Shmurak.
‘These delicious blueberry-like fruits grow prolifically in all sorts of conditions, have lovely spring flowers, as well as attractive fall color.’
Juneberries are hardy trees that grow well in zones 2-7, tolerating light shade and damp sites. They typically reach between 15-35ft.
Another benefit of these wonderful trees is that in the spring they produce elegant star-shaped flowers, while in the fall, their foliage turns brilliant red orange.
9. Peruvian pepper
(Image credit: Weisschr / Getty Images)
Peruvian pepper – Schinus molle – is also known as the California pepper tree, false pepper, or the American pepper.
'This is an evergreen tree that produces small red berries with a peppery taste,’ says Stark. 'You can eat the berries safely.'
The Peruvian pepper tree does best in arid and hot climates, thriving in zones 8-11, and reaches 25-50ft in height.
‘It has pretty pinnate fern-like leaves with small white flowers in the spring.
Its berry-like drupes of pink or red woody seeds grow in large clusters all year long,' adds Stark.
10. Yew
(Image credit: Zelg / Getty Images)
A large coniferous tree, the yew – Taxus baccata – makes a beautiful addition to the garden with its bright scarlet berries in the fall and lush green needles.
It's also an ancient tree with a fascinating history steeped in myth and superstition. While they are difficult to date, there are yew trees believed to be over 3,000 years old.
As an evergreen tree, the yew provides color and screening in the garden year round, and grows in zones 5-7. Though it can reach great heights, it can be pruned to keep it in shape or to serve as a hedge.
However, while it offers lots of landscaping potential, the yew tree is poisonous to humans, so it’s not one to plant if you prefer trees with red berries that you can sample. Happily, the birds can enjoy the berries in safety.
How do I identify a tree with red berries?
To identify a tree with red berries, it helps to find out the common trees that grow in your area, as this will narrow down the options.
Invest in a tree identification book with clear photographs and descriptions to help you examine the tree.
While the presence of red berries provides the first clue, you should also look at the leaf type and shape, as this is slightly different for every tree.
Which trees have red berries in summer?
Popular trees that have red berries in summer include cherry trees, mulberries and juneberries, while hawthorns tend to start developing berries in the summer.
As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc.
She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.
Evergreen tree, plant with thorny leaves and dark red berries, 9 (nine) letters
Crossword question
Answer for the clue "Evergreen tree, plant with thorny leaves and dark red berries", 9 (nine) letters:
holly
Alternative questions in crossword puzzles for the word holly
(holly) trees and shrubs
Evergreen thorny-leaved shrub, Pargua tea0003
Small southern tree with thorny leaves
Tree that functioned as a Christmas tree in medieval England
Wood used to make Christmas wreaths in Europe
Akin to holly, small southern evergreen tree with dark red berries
Christmas wreath tree
Dictionary definitions for the word holly
New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T.
F. Efremova. nine0007 The meaning of the word in the dictionary New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
m. Small southern evergreen tree with spiny leaves and dark red berries; holly. The wood of such a tree.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. The meaning of the word in the dictionary Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. nine0005 -а, m. A small evergreen southern tree related to holly with prickly leaves and dark red berries.
Examples of the use of the word holly in the literature.
Sage, iris, plantain, stepping stone, marjannik, white chamomile, blueberry, primrose, oregano, lemon balm, miracle flower, ammi, field chamomile, mountain ash, yasnotka, ragwort, lungwort, cloves, peony, buttercup, sumac, henbane, clover, saffron, sundew, bluebell, dope, burdock, euphorbia, yarrow, periwinkle, toadflax, bindweed, basil, black root, poppy, violet, sorrel, coltsfoot, sow thistle, sing, pikulnik, thistle, nigella, madder, eyebright, oak, St.
John's wort, chicory, lily of the valley, cocklebur, navel, cornflower, hare cabbage, tansy, privet, belladonna, needle, mint, mallow, dremlik, nettle, thistle, lavender, rank, fireweed, corydalis, oak forest, nightshade, broom , burial ground, narcissus, dandelion, columbine, jasmine, valerian, bird-foot, belladonna, pansies, colchicum, horsetail, juvenile, love, foxglove, pomegranate, centaury, gentian, juniper, field poppy, adonis, nasturtium, peter's cross, kupena, lunar, dodder, full-time color, rosemary, ash, lungwort, raven, celandine, smoke yanka, wild strawberry, lilac, euonymus, m
Vegetation swirled wildly around, engulfing the collapsed walls of countless houses with a surf of brambles, holly, ivy, weeds and weeds.
Naturally, this work only served to announce that the next dishes would be fish, like a gingerbread deer chased by gingerbread hounds, jumping into holly bushes, behind which a jelly boar was hiding, announced meat dishes, and a stuffed eagle, with wings outstretched over the paper panorama of the city of Fairfield, preceded by game.
nine0003
Ancient firs stood on the peaks, and oak, strawberry and holly grew on the slopes.
And then the bright green holly on the wall shriveled, faded - and withered, dead branches fell to the floor.
And this is what I will say: let the green holly bloom, rooting deep into our English soil, and let the birds of heaven spread its seeds to the whole world!
Source: Maxim Moshkov Library
Flowering shrubs for the garden and birds
Shrubs are used by gardeners to add structure and color to the garden and to create hedges.
A shrub is a small tree, but the term is used more for a woody plant that has a mass of branches from the base instead of a single trunk. Some trees can be grown as shrubs, especially in hedges if pruned. The dense branches provide birds with a nesting and roosting area.
Blackthorn plum
Prunus spinosa
Small deciduous shrub or tree with many small white flowers in May before the leaves appear.
The round, shiny berry - the blackthorn - remains on the tree throughout the winter, and is loved by many birds. The dense foliage provides a nesting site.
Height - 4 m Crown width - 3 m
Cultivation. Prefers full sun and soil that is neither waterlogged nor too acidic. Trim in late fall when the nesting season is over. nine0003
Species. The sloe has many hybrids. In Russia, apricot thorn and fragrant thorn are often found.
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster microphyllus
They are deciduous and evergreen shrubs with stiff, often hanging branches. The small, dark green leaves make for dense cover, and the red berries are popular with many birds.
Height - 1 m Crown width - 2 m
Cultivation. nine0007 Prefers dry places in full sun or partial shade. Good for seaside locations.
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Small deciduous tree with thorny branches often used for hedges.
Dark red berries are eaten by many birds (thrushes, waxwings, bullfinches)
Height - 10 m Crown width - 8 m
Cultivation. Prefers full sun but grows in shade, even in polluted areas. nine0003
Species. Common hawthorn is a large shrub with abundant fruiting of berries.
Pyracantha Pyracantha coccinea
Dense thorny evergreen shrub that can be grown as a hedge or along a wall. Scarlet berries are eaten by some birds.
Height - 2 m Crown width - 2 m
Cultivation. Pyracanthus can be planted in a mild climate, for example, in the Black Sea region. Prefers sun or partial shade and grows in any well-drained soil. Guide the growth of the plant along the wall with a trellis or wire. nine0003
Species. Pyracantha hybrid with mass of yellow berries; pyracantha angustifolia grows along walls facing north.
Irga Lamarka Amelanchier lamarckii
Deciduous shrub or small tree, in autumn its foliage changes color from dark green or bronze to red and orange. Berries are popular with birds.
Height - 6 m Crown width - 3 m
Cultivation. nine0007 Winter-hardy and drought-resistant. Needs full sun or partial shade and prefers moist to well-drained, fairly acidic soil. Trim in late fall to maintain shape.
Species. Tree shadberry, smooth shadberry and Canadian shadberry are similar species that are often confused with lamarck shadberry.
Black elderberry Sambucus nigra
Deciduous shrub or small tree. Purple-black berries are loved by birds, including thrushes, warblers. It grows relentlessly. nine0003
Height - 4 m Crown width - 4 m
Cultivation.
Needs a sunny location and moist, well-drained soil. Cut off old shoots in winter.
Species. Aurea black elder is smaller and less prolific than native species; has attractive golden foliage, very winter-hardy.
Berry yew Taxus baccata
Evergreen shrub with dense foliage, often used for green hedges. Its fruits are bright red juicy berries, each contains a single seed. They ripen from the end of August, they are loved by many birds, including finches, starlings and waxwings. All parts of the yew are poisonous to humans. nine0003
Height - 15 m Crown width - 10 m
Cultivation. Grows nearly anywhere in full sun and shade and tolerates drought and polluted air. It is not recommended to plant yews in gardens where children are likely to be present.
Species. Berry yew Dovastonii Aurea grows up to 5 m; Yew Far East - dwarf species, frost-resistant.
Wolf's bark Daphne mezereum
Small deciduous shrub with fragrant pink flowers. Rounded yellow fruits are eaten by many birds, and black-headed warblers drink nectar. Berries are poisonous.
Height - 1 m Crown width - 1 m
Cultivation. Grows in moderately fertilized, well-drained soil in full sun. Frost-resistant, but does not tolerate drought well. Mulch the ground regularly. It is not recommended to plant a wolf's bast in gardens where the presence of children is likely. nine0003
Species. The wolfberry Alba has white flowers and translucent amber fruits.
Common hazel Corylus avellana
Deciduous shrub with yellow male catkins in February. The nuts are eaten by many birds, including nuthatches.
Height - 6 m Crown width - 6 m
Cultivation.
Prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained soils. Nuts appear after 7 years. nine0003
Species. Hazel Contorta with twisted branches.
Privet Ligustrum vulgare
Fast growing deciduous shrub ideal for hedges. The small, white, fragrant flowers attract insects, and the black berries are eaten by many birds.
Height - 5 m Crown width - 3 m
Cultivation. Prefers well-drained calcareous soils and full sun. Heavy pruning improves its value as a nest cover. nine0003
Species. Japanese privet and golden are suitable for decorative hedges.
Viburnum opulus Viburnum opulus
A deciduous shrub or small tree that produces clusters of white flowers in spring. Scarlet fruit eaten by many birds, including waxwings, jays, and bramblings.
Height - 4 m Crown width - 4 m
Cultivation. nine0007 Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade.
Species. Viburnum pride is suitable for gardens and grows well on calcareous soil. Viburnum vulgaris Compactum is a slow growing and dense shrub.
Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum
Deciduous shrub cultivated for its soft fruits. Small black berries that ripen in July are loved by many birds. nine0003
Height - 2 m Crown width - 2 m
Cultivation. Grows in moderately fertilized soil in full sun. Can be trained to grow up the wall. After picking the berries, cut off the old stems.
Species. Red currants and gooseberries are close relatives, also grown for their berries.
Blood red dogwood Cornus sanguinea
This deciduous shrub or small tree makes the garden colorful in autumn and winter thanks to its red twigs.
Small black berries are popular with some birds. nine0003
Height - 4 m Width - 3 m
Cultivation. Grows in fertile calcareous soils and needs a sunny spot to develop red stems. Grows easily from side shoots.
Species. Canadian irga grows on acidic soils.
Holly magnolia Mahonia aquifolium
Evergreen shrub with yellow fragrant flowers from which insects collect nectar and pollen. Black and blue berries are eaten by many birds. nine0003
Cultivation. Prefers some shading. In April, cut off the old stems. Frost-resistant and resistant to air pollution.
Common barberry Berberis vulgaris
Evergreen shrub with spreading branches and sharp spines, suitable for green hedges. The orange-red berries are eaten by many birds.
Height - 4 m Crown width - 4 m
Cultivation.
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