Descriptive ID (sorry no photos)

The best way I can describe it is a smallish evergreen tree, similar to Quercus ilex, but smaller, more attractive leaves which have silver undersides and slightly serrated leaves borne on silvery green stems.. I thought perhaps something in the myrtle family?

 

A few suggestions to get you going:

Eleagnus Ebbingei or Eleagnus Quicksilver
Cytisus battandieri
Garrya elliptica
Pittosporum

 

not those Trunky, this is very similar to Quercus ilex in habit, not that though.

 

Actually I realised I have a cutting from it, I forgot about that.. this will help no end.




Leaves seem to be more rigid than a Holm Oak..

 

Arbutus (Strawberry Tree)?

 

I thought this, but it's missing the red colouration and opposite whorls of leaves that you find on Arbutus unedo and andrachnoides. Arbutus menziesii lack the serration.

The trunk was a creamy colour (similar to the trunk of Camellia japonica).

It's not Laurus nobilis, but it may be some type of Laurus, or perhaps a type of Quercus?

 

I think I've found it as Phillyrea latifolia