mark replied to my email.. instead of here ... i dont see why i cant share it ... he said: Thank you. It's been in the ground a long time (6-8 years) so I don't think it's rootbound. I showed a branch to my garden shop this morning and their guess was that it was the winter cold snaps (we had lots of days going from 70 to 25). I'm not sure how else to diagnose it. I'll do a little pruning to get rid of yellow leaves and air out the crowded center. Once a month, the gardens here have a master gardener clinic so I'll go there next time it's open. Thanks for your advice. ===>>> mark.. i would not go pruning.. until i see where buds break .. if its just cosmetic to the leaves.. then i dont see why you need to go lopping off branch pieces ... the leaves will fall off themselves, if you have patience ... but why mangle the plant otherwise ... often a frost will only affect the leaves.. but not the buds with this years growth... that usually happens during a freeze ... as compared to a frost ... as i tell peeps.. you can always cut it off later.. but you cant staple/tape them back on .... thinning the interior should not be related to this issue ... if you want/need to do it otherwise.. fine.. but it isnt part of this ... you are welcome .... ken ps: it is already stressed due to the leaf loss ... severe pruning of the good leaves.. due to interior thinning.. may simply be removing more leaves.. that it needs to get over the stress created by the frost ...

Yellow is better than crispy brown. Wait for new leaf generation. Dax

i do not see a single yellow leaf .. on this pic ... so i dont know what you are trying to fix ... which leads me to think about the propensity of peeps to try to love things to death ... and no plant.. evergreen or not.. holds its leaves forever.. interior yellowing is normal.. as those are the oldest leaves.. and there is nothing need be done about it ... if it is back.. then i suggest there is nothing to do ... have a professional soil test done.. talk with your county extension office... and IF per chance.. there is something that needs to be done.. do it with knowledge.. rather than guessing about problems ... never try to fix.. what has already fixed itself ... good luck ken

Evergreen hollies shed their old leaves about this time of year - that could explain the yellow ones if they are the old ones.