Mountain Holly Tree
The Mountain Holly (Ilex monticola, Gray.) has a thin, serrated leaf that might be mistaken for a cherry or plum leaf, except that it is usually larger. This is one of the handsomest of the tree hollies. Its fruit is as large as a cherry. Unfortunately, leaves and fruit fall early, so they cannot be used for decoration.
The tree is found in mountain woods from New York to Alabama, following the Appalachian chain to its southern limits. The species is shrubby except in the two Carolinas.
Mountain Holly Tree picture