The Orlando Sentinel now reports the fungus is also killing ‘East Palatka’ holly cultivars in central Florida from Tampa on the west coast, to Orlando, a two-hour drive to the northeast.

Dr. Al Ferrer, an urban horticulturist with the Seminole Co. Cooperative Extension Service, reports East Palatka is the most commonly grown holly tree in Central Florida. Mark Stevenson, a landscape architect with Orange County Zoning agrees. He says landscape architects commonly specify this ornamental evergreen that produces bright-red berries and deep-green foliage. The reason is its narrow trunk, making it well-suited for urban areas with restricted space. This particular variety is a hybrid between Ilex cassine and Ilex opaca. It grows 30 to 45 feet tall with a spread of 10 to 15 feet, taking a moderately tight, pyramidal shape as it matures.

The Orange County extension says it is now more rare to find an East Palatka holly not affected by the fungus than affected. The fungal begins with knotty spots on the branches and sprouts upward with broom-like growths.

Orange County has begun removing sick holly trees and advising landscape architects and others in the green industry to substitute crape myrtles, other holly species or palms.