Quercus ilex, commonly known as Holm Oak or Evergreen Oak, is a medium-sized evergreen tree known for its rare hardiness and durability. Its modest dimensions are often mistakenly perceived as a characteristic of the plant, whereas it actually has very slow growth, leading to the misconception that it is a small plant. In nature, it can reach heights of up to 30 meters and is characterized by a strong and spreading root system that allows it to thrive even on steep cliffs by the sea. It also withstands salinity and sea spray very well but does not tolerate waterlogged or excessively compacted soils.
The dark red wood is challenging to work with, but excellent as fuel, producing highly prized charcoal with a high calorific value. This evergreen oak also produces a large quantity of acorns. Until the 1960s, in Sardinia, these acorns were used to prepare a kind of bread (pane e'lande) through a complex and lengthy process involving red clay and ash. This tradition has been rediscovered, and it seems to be still produced in some areas today.
Probably due to the dense shade produced by a holm oak forest, it was considered an ominous tree in ancient times, consulted by oracles (like other oaks) for ominous predictions. The legend of the holm oak (told by the Greek poet Valaoritis in the 19th century) confirms this reputation. It recounts how, after the condemnation of Christ to death, the trees refused to donate their wood for the cross. Only the holm oak offered its wood, thus becoming the botanical symbol of Judas. A different interpretation comes from Christian tradition, which sees the holm oak as Christ's favorite tree because it sacrificed itself for him.
The Venetian town of Monselice seems to owe its name to the holm oaks, "mons elicis," the mountain of holm oaks. This fact connects the Venetian town with Hollywood in California since in English, "leccio" is translated as "holly oak." Therefore, the well-known locality takes its name from the holm oak wood, probably also from the mountain of holm oaks.
It possesses remarkable longevity, typically reaching 250-300 years, with some specimens surpassing 1000 years.
