Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Holly, 1 by ViburnumValley

ViburnumValley wrote:
As you browse around the PlantFiles, see if your neighbor has any other restrictions for these plants, insofar as how tall and how wide does he have space for.

If he wants a tree-like plant (but branched to the ground) I'd strongly vote for Ilex opaca (American holly) for zone 6 MA. There are plenty of examples of very good American hollies for your area. If he wants a shrub-like plant, then the Meserve-type hollies are the simple choice to make (Ilex × meserveae, either the Blue series or the China series).

The Holly Society of America is an exceptional source of information for the genus Ilex; you can find them at http://www.hollysocam.org and they have a pretty active organization if you are pathological about holly. A great text to browse (or buy, again if the obsession strikes) is the late Fred Galle's tome Hollies: The Genus Ilex. A wow book.

Post a pic of your baby volunteer. Could be one of many, depending on what's growing in your neighborhood.

Here's a branch of an American holly growing outside my office in Louisville. This tree is reaching above the roofline; the building is three full stories. Your neighbor could do worse.