I was told these were rowans but I’m pretty sure they aren’t now that I’ve seen some pictures of actual rowans! I have two a5 the back of my garden, one has a sort of double trunk. They get orangey/red berries in late summer that the wood pigeons go mad for.
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You can see the berries starting to form..the green bit in the centre of the flowers.
On old mature Holly the leaves are not prickly.
J.C.Van Tol leaves are not prickly
https://www.google.com/search?q=ilex+aquifolium+j+c+van+tol+leaves&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwie3quqoaDpAhUEzaQKHTwDAvMQ_AUoAXoECA0QAw&biw=1920&bih=944#imgrc=eK_W5IM-lcu5vM
Flowers...
https://www.google.com/search?q=ilex+aquifolium+female+flowers&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZvoqboqDpAhUnsKQKHWQ1DDYQ_AUoAXoECBMQAw&biw=1920&bih=944
The theory re prickly leaves is that when the tree is young the prickles protect it from browsing animals.
As it gets taller this method of defence is no longer necessary and leaves become smooth edged.
Check out other Hollies that you see.
Hollies are one tree that is suitable for Hatracking.
Read up about it...see link below.
https://www.scottarboretum.org/hat-racking-hollies/