Holly pine or quercus ilex (hrast crnika)is a tree which grows in Mediterranean region.

In every pine forest you can see a lot of these oaks. They are much different than pines and somehow don't fit in. Butt hey are also coniferous evergreen trees.
They don't grow fast as pines, but it can also be very large.

The fruit of holly oak is acorn.

Fresh acorns are green but those one on the photo in the hand of my friend were picked up from the floor and they are brow in this time of the year. Acorns of holly oak can be long to 2 centimeters.
On photo next to acorns are young acorns that just started to show up.

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The cupule

These trees are not so dangerous in summer as Aleppo pines or black pines.

Pines burn very fast with very high flame and that's why pines are not good for firewood.

But holly oaks are! They burn very slowly and keep the warmth for much longer time than pines.

The wood of holly oak is very hard and tough.

It is used in construction purposes and for making different kind of wooden furniture. But many people cut those trees down before maturity for firewood.

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Acorns are also used.

There are different was to use acorns of holly oak. Mainly, the acorns are food for pigs. Old folks say that it can be boiled in water, and that water is good for treating wounds. But, lately, many people I know make decoration from these acorns.

PHOTOS BY ME

#whysoserious