Might be Prunus ilicifolia

Here is a link that might be useful: Prunus ilicifolia

I hope you are right! It does have holly like leaves! No blossoms that I can see, and this little guy will probably not bloom for many years.

If we could forge a path down to the big tree, it might be fun to try the fruit! We have a small vineyard, so fermenting comes easy to us!

Edit. I got close enough to the big old tree to see several big blossom clusters, and on my way back up the hill I found another tree about 6' tall with blossom clusters forming. It's leaves are much smaller than the one depicted above, but they have the same holly like look.

Suzi

This post was edited by desertdance on Mon, Mar 17, 14 at 18:10

Either Prunus ilicifolia or Rhamnus ilicifolia. Rhamnus has more translucent leaves than Prunus, and different pattern of veins. Can't tell which from your picture.