Options for "Holly Replacement"? - Ask Extension
I have a heavily forested backyard, and this summer I decided I'd had enough of the endemic holly and totally eradicated it.
The forest, in its nat...
Knowledgebase
Options for "Holly Replacement"? #889830
Asked November 14, 2024, 12:42 PM EST
I have a heavily forested backyard, and this summer I decided I'd had enough of the endemic holly and totally eradicated it.
The forest, in its natural state is basically big Douglas Firs (canopy) with an understory of Vine Maple, Holly, and Western Swordfern. Now that I've killed off the holly (good riddance!) I'm wondering what I can replace it with that will thrive among the deer and the turkeys, and also provide a) erosion control and b) some privacy for/from the neighbors. As much as I disliked the holly, it did do a great job of providing year-round privacy that the deciduous vine maple seems unlikely to match.
What are some other options that won't need management once established and will hopefully grow to human height within at least a few years?
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Kudos to you for getting rid if the invasive Holly in your forest. Several factors will go into deciding on replacement plants. Natives would be best, since you already have the basics of a native Doug fir forest.
1. How deep is the shade under the firs? If it is a closed canopy with very deep shade, that will limit your options a lot. If it is more open, with part or dappled sun in most areas, there are a lot more plants that could thrive there.
2. Will you be able to irrigate the new plants in summer for the first few years? That will give them a much better chance of surviving the root competition from the established trees. You may also need to protect them from deer until they grow large enough to withstand browsing. Needless to say, deer eat most native plants (and most non-natives too).
3. It would be best to start with a large number of small plants, rather than a few large, expensive specimens. They'll adjust to their new home more quickly and outgrow larger specimens, and your investment will be smaller for those that are likely to die off.
I've attached a document with information on PNW native plants by community. The first community is the one you should look at, for Doug firs and vine maples. The listed plants that can take part or full shade are your best bets.
I suggest checking out the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District website for two things: more information on native plants that would be suitable, https://www.bentonswcd.org/native-plants and their plant sale. They sell small, inexpensive starts of many native plants and it is a great way to start a native plant community.
https://www.bentonswcd.org/native-plant-sales
1. How deep is the shade under the firs? If it is a closed canopy with very deep shade, that will limit your options a lot. If it is more open, with part or dappled sun in most areas, there are a lot more plants that could thrive there.
2. Will you be able to irrigate the new plants in summer for the first few years? That will give them a much better chance of surviving the root competition from the established trees. You may also need to protect them from deer until they grow large enough to withstand browsing. Needless to say, deer eat most native plants (and most non-natives too).
3. It would be best to start with a large number of small plants, rather than a few large, expensive specimens. They'll adjust to their new home more quickly and outgrow larger specimens, and your investment will be smaller for those that are likely to die off.
I've attached a document with information on PNW native plants by community. The first community is the one you should look at, for Doug firs and vine maples. The listed plants that can take part or full shade are your best bets.
I suggest checking out the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District website for two things: more information on native plants that would be suitable, https://www.bentonswcd.org/native-plants and their plant sale. They sell small, inexpensive starts of many native plants and it is a great way to start a native plant community.
https://www.bentonswcd.org/native-plant-sales
I don't see the attached document. Could you resend?
Thanks!
That's odd. Here's a link to it online. https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/pacific-nw-native-plants-plant-community
