Cape Sanctuary Helped Holly From Disappearing From Massachusetts

American holly, the kind with the bright red berries – or "drupes," as botanists call them – was once a staple of Christmas decorations throughout Massachusetts and New England.

At one point, the holly was on the verge of extinction in Massachusetts.

Mass Audubon says, "People were cutting too many holly boughs for decorations, and they were also clearing forests in sandy coastal areas to build houses." As a result, "The American holly was once in danger of disappearing in Massachusetts."

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American holly grows as far south as Florida. The holly is smaller in size in Massachusetts than in the South. Plants here can grow to 20 to 40 feet tall. In southern climates, the plants can reach as high as 100 feet.

Mass Audubon says American Holly plants have a "greenish-grey bark" and "leathery leaves that are shiny on top and pale green below." The plants have greenish flowers in early spring. The plants generally grow in sandy coastal forests.

Female holly plants bear fruit, which is toxic to humans but is a food source for birds and other wildlife.

Mass Audubon says in the 1930s, when it seemed American Holly might disappear from Massachusetts, Wilfrid Wheeler, known as "The Holly Man," stepped up.

"Wheeler was worried that hollies might disappear from the Cape, so he began to grow the plants on his property, Ashumet Farm in Falmouth," Mass Audubon says,. noting Wheeler also "encouraged people to plant hollies on public land."

Wheeler's farm later became Mass Audubon's Ashunet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary. Mass Audubon says, "The wildlife sanctuary is home to some 1,000 holly trees of 65 varieties."

Mass Audubon's Ashunet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary, which includes several trails, is open to the public. Visit the sanctuary's website for more information and directions.