Top-Rated English Holly Removal on South Vancouver Island

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) may be a classic symbol of the holidays, but on South Vancouver Island, it’s become a major invasive threat to native forests and residential properties. Originally planted for its glossy leaves and bright berries, holly quickly escapes garden boundaries and takes over woodlands, hedgerows, and greenbelts—choking out native vegetation and spreading aggressively through seed and root suckers.

At Ascent Yard Care, we specialize in professional, permanent English holly removal. As the largest and most experienced invasive plant removal company on Vancouver Island, we offer expert-level service for everything from small backyard infestations to large forest restoration projects. If you want holly gone—and gone for good—we’re the team to call.

Why English Holly Is a Problem on Vancouver Island

English holly thrives in the cool, damp conditions of the South Island and spreads rapidly in forests, rural acreages, parks, and even residential neighborhoods. Many property owners don’t realize how invasive it is until it’s already become established.

Problems caused by English holly:

• Crowds out native trees and understory plants
• Forms dense thickets that block sunlight and stop forest regeneration
• Spreads aggressively by seed and root suckers
• Creates a food source for birds, which distribute seeds deep into forested areas
• Difficult to remove without professional root-level extraction

Without active intervention, holly spreads year after year—making properties harder to manage and ecosystems harder to restore.

Ascent’s Expert Holly Removal Process

Removing English holly isn’t just about cutting it down—it requires a systematic strategy to stop root regrowth and seed spread. Ascent Yard Care uses a proven approach tailored to the terrain, plant size, and density of each infestation.

1. Site Evaluation

We assess the scope of the holly infestation—tree size, density, age, and spread—and develop a plan for full removal and site restoration.

2. Mechanical or Manual Removal

We cut and extract the full root system to prevent sucker regrowth. For smaller trees or residential sites, we use specialized hand tools; for larger trees or forest stands, we bring in mechanical equipment to remove entire root masses efficiently.

3. Herbicide Application (Optional)

In areas where full root removal isn’t possible, we offer targeted herbicide treatment (applied by licensed professionals) to prevent regrowth from stumps or suckers. Herbicide is carefully selected to protect surrounding vegetation.

4. Debris Removal & Site Restoration

All holly material is safely removed from the site—leaves and berries are never left to decompose on-site, as they can reintroduce seeds. We can also replant native trees and shrubs or prepare the land for erosion control.

Why Homeowners and Land Managers Choose Ascent

We’re not a landscaping company that “also removes invasives”—invasive plant control is our core specialty. We bring scale, speed, and professionalism to every holly removal job, no matter how large or complex.

What sets Ascent Yard Care apart:

• Experienced crews – Trained in safe, efficient invasive tree removal
• Permanent results – We remove the plant at its root and prevent regrowth
• Certified herbicide applicators – For targeted follow-up when needed
• Large-scale capacity – We handle acreages, greenbelts, and parks with ease
• Fully insured and safety compliant – WCB-covered, professionally equipped crews
• Local knowledge – We understand holly behavior in South Island soils and climates

We’ve helped municipalities, rural landowners, and private homeowners reclaim their land from holly and restore the natural beauty of their properties.

Areas We Serve

We remove English holly throughout South Vancouver Island, including:

• Victoria
• Oak Bay
• Saanich
• Esquimalt
• Langford
• View Royal
• Metchosin
• Highlands
• Sooke
• Mill Bay
• Shawnigan Lake
• Cobble Hill
• Cowichan Valley
• Gulf Islands (by request)

Get a Free Holly Removal Quote Today

If English holly is spreading across your property or forested land, trust Vancouver Island’s leading invasive species removal company to eliminate it permanently.