These are mature hollies been in my landscaping for twenty years

Hi Sean,

Thank you for your question about your holly bushes.  To be honest, it is difficult to know exactly what is happening with out a sample.  It looks like the branches are truncated, but the small leaves look nice and green.  

If you think it was winter damage, it might just take another season to recover. Other holly bush issue include root problems, nematodes, and leaf disease.  Here is an article that describes many issues.

https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/holly-diseases-insect-pests/

If you get a sample, take one from where it transitions from health to the problem area.  You can call your Mahoning county extension and ask if they can look at your sample.  Otherwise, you can send one to Ohio State Extension, here is a link that has the information about sending a sample.

https://ppdc.osu.edu/submit-sample

Once you take the transition sample you can send me a photo of that and I can send it to other extension experts that might be able to help.