Cut holly to ground level

Cut it down to ground level with a handsaw, large loppers or chainsaw. Cutting alone will not eliminate holly as it will regrow from its roots but this is an important first step.

Pull holly out from the roots

Small and young holly plants can be pulled out from the roots. This is easiest when the soil is soft and wet.

Dig out the roots

Use a pickaxe or shovel to dig out the roots. Mature holly roots can grown as deep as 3 feet downward.

Be careful of spreading cuttings

Do not leave cuttings of holly on the ground. The cuttings will take root and sprout a new plant. It is very important to take the plant to a disposal facility or bag it in a plastic bag so further spreading does not occur.

Mowing

Cut the holly to ground level. If the area is flat enough to mow this is an effective method. Holly grows very quickly so the area will need to be mowed weekly in order for this to be effective.

Herbicide

Be sure to read and follow all the instructions on your herbicide label. It is best to have a licensed professional apply herbicide. Natural methods such as vinegar will not kill holly. The only effective holly killer is herbicide. Herbicide can be applied after the holly is cut to ground level and new growth appears.

Covering

Cut the holly to ground level. Cover the area in an opaque tarp or sheet of plastic. It is very important no light can pass through the covering. This will prevent the holly from photosynthesizing and the plants and root system will eventually die after one year or more of being covered.

What is holly?

Holly is an ornamental and invasive plant widespread on Vancouver island. Holly grows into a bush or tree and creates clusters of berries that contain thousands of seeds. Holly thrives in both the urban environment and in forests where it creates thick infestations that shade out native species.

Why is holly invasive?

• A single holly plant can turn into a patch containing thousands of stems
• Holly spreads underground through a rapidly expanding root system which sprout new plants as far as 20 feet away
• Holly produces extremely resilient growth that re-sprouts after cutting
• Birds spread holly seeds rapidly
• Holly plants produce thousands of seeds per year
• Holly absorbs huge amounts of water and nutrients hog, which harms other plants growing in its vicinity
• It is the Pacific North West’s most shade tolerant invasive plant and has the greatest potential to harm coastal forests
• When holly branches touch the soil they will take root and create a new plant
• Holly thickets can often suppress all native vegetation and completely take over a forest

Why is it crucial to remove holly?

• Holly berries are poisonous to humans, cats, and dogs
• Holly crowds out native species
• Holly infestations will get worse over time
• Holly can harm natural waterways
• Holly can spread to neighbouring property
• Holly thrives and spreads rapidly in the understory of our Pacific Northwest forests
• Holly is highly flammable and poses a forest fire risk

Permanently removing holly

We remove the holly trees with chainsaws or other gas powered cutters, the cut material is cleaned up and hauled away. We then grind out the holly stumps and root material with a stump grinder.

An alternative method is the use of herbicide. With this method, the holly trees will be cut to ground level with gas powered cutters, the cut material is cleaned up and hauled away. Two months later the holly will have sprouted new shoots and new foliage. This new foliage will be treated with herbicide. Following the herbicide treatment the root system will die. Our herbicide will not kill other plants and has no soil activity or run off.

Grinding out the root material and herbicide treatment are both effective options for eliminating holly.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of holly infestations since our business was founded in 2017. We carry a license from the province of BC for landscape herbicide application.

Holly removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and quote.

Won’t the holly just grow back?

In the worst infestations, up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most holly patches we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

We care intensely about the success of each project. Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC.