Tree Information
Common Name: mountain holly
Scientific Name: Ilex montana
Native/Naturalized: Native to Virginia
Database ID: 2371
Status: alive
National Champion: yes
Virginia Champion: yes
Circumference: 39 in.
Height: 32 ft.
Crown: 34 ft.
Points: 80
Date Last Measured: 2025
Last Measured by: Eric Wiseman and Bella Hardaway
Date First Measured: 2015
Comments:
2025 comments: This tree remains in mostly good health. Some dead and damaged branches were pruned out along with some crowding branches from neighboring rhododendron. Because it was impossible to get a clear view of the top of the tree, its height was measured by climbing the tree and holding the height pole at two different increments down to ground level. As typical for the species, the trunk comprises multiple stems originating from a single root collar. Therefore each stem was measured individually near standard height of 4.5' above ground. Stem 1 (closest to corner of the trail junction)=24" girth. Stem 2 (closest to lake shore)=25" girth. Stem 3 (at center of stem cluster)=18" girth. Stems 1 and 3 were measured at 4.5' above ground level and stem 2 was measured at 4.5' along the axis of the stem (due to lean). The composite trunk circumference of these three stems is 39" and is used in the score shown here. If the tree was scored using just the largest stem for trunk girth, then the score would be 66 points. This is comparable to how the tree was measured in the past.
2024 comments: Recognized again as national champion.
2020 comments: Declared national champion in 2020.
2015 comments: The tree appears healthy and sound. Measurements taken by Byron Carmean, Gary Williamson, and Jeff Kirwan in 2015 were 28" trunk, 29' height, and 32' crown for a total of 65 points.
More Photos
Location of Tree
Tree is located in: Giles
Land Owner: Mountain Lake Conservancy
GPS Coordinates: 37.35973, -80.53278
Directions: On the east side of Mountain Lake. Located at the southwest corner of the intersection of the Lake Loop Trail (Indian Trail) and the connector trail that goes uphill to the Lower Jungle Trail.
Owner Address: 115 HOTEL CIR
PEMBROKE, VA 24136-3055
Contact Information
Contact Name: Byron Carmean
Contact Email: rockplantrn@gmail.com
Contact Address: 3616 Labrador Lane
Suffolk, VA 23434
Contact Info: Emily Woodall, EWoodall@MountainLakeHotel.com, Wilderness Conservancy at Mountain Lake
Nominators
Original Nominator(s): Byron Carmean, Jeff Kirwan, Gary Williamson
Additional Information
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