Hello there, I am relatively new to gardening and wondered if anyone could shine some light on what is eating my newly planted, rather expensive Holly Tree? There are no obvious signs of any insects on it? Whole stems of leaves have completely gone! Thank you
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Rach nothing in the UK really eats holly, there are some pests and diseases but that's usually visible on the leaves or bark. If it's newly planted it may be slightly shocked and losing leave quite naturally.
Hello Dave, thank you very much for your reply. I haven't noticed any leaves on the ground? I will just have to watch and wait and just keep an eye on it. Thank you.
Clearly not in this case, but deer eat holly, they love it
"Deer are mammals, usually living in woodland or scrubby areas from where they make forays into gardens. They may visit gardens as single animals but often it will be several animals that cause extensive damage very quickly.
They attack many plants, but particularly runner bean, beetroot, blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, evergreen azaleas, camellia, roses, holly, ivy, rhododendron, Viburnum tinus, hardy geraniums, Sedum spectabile, tulip and grape hyacinth"
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=184
Horses, cows and goats will also eat holly if it's not too prickly - they especially like the young leaves.
The holly in the picture doesn't look like one of the most prickly varieties.
Any horses, cows or goats been wandering past lately?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.