Milehighgirl, that link didn't work for me. It looks like something I should read. I've noticed that most folks my age or older have been taught that a common climbing plant called Virginia Creeper is poison oak. It starts out small with just 3 leaves in each cluster but gains more leaves as the vine gets bigger. When it gets big each has about 7 or 8 leaves per cluster. It is a very fast growing vine that turns a lovely shade of scarlet in autumn. And yes some folks are sensitive to the plant and can get some itchy bumps from it, but not like the real stuff. Actually mature poke weed can also cause itchy in some folks. Lots of plants out there can, but my pet peeve is that virginia creeper everyone is convinced in poison oak. Like cckw says, they pay no attention to the actual stuff at all. Pam in cinti

It could be disease related. Here's a link that might be worth review: Here is a link that might be useful: Holly -- Phytophthora Leaf and Twig Blight

Is there any hope at all for this holly Sometimes many cultivars of holly are able to fill in around the trunk after many years. But I'm not sure about Oakleaf. In your case you will probably be left with a lollipop tree for a long time. What might grow down below on the trunk will be sparse at first and especially if it is shaded. So will look like a very bad prune job for oh, maybe 5 years? Can you live with that? To keep oakleafs tight and small, they really should be pruned every year. Mine I want big, so I don't prune much. They are now about 15 feet tall.

As Ken's post is a little confusing, let's try to clarify :-) Hollies come in both male and female varieties and in order for the female plants to produce berries (they are the only ones that do) a male has to be present. 'Sky Pencil' is a female form of Japanese holly so in order to produce any berries you will need to include a male Japanese holly cultivar in your garden. However, I wouldn't rush out to purchase one - it will not look like the Sky Pencil in form or habit, few cultivars are labeled as males and the berries produced by any Japanese holly are very nondescript and not noticeable, as Dave noted. In short, this is not a plant that is grown for its colorful berry production like many other hollies are.