It is also referred to as English ivy and is one of the most common evergreen glossy ground cover plants and climbers. It is highly adaptable and pervasive; however, its invasive nature continues to pose both a threat to trees and other natural ecosystems. When unchecked, once established, uncontrolled growth can engulf trees, damage structural strength, retard growth, and kill them. Knowing the dangers of English ivy and how it should be safely removed from trees can be very crucial to the up-keep of your landscape’s health and environment.

English Ivy on Trees: The Problem

English ivy is a rampant, fast-growing climber that clings to surfaces with aerial rootlets. While making for an attractive green facade, its growth on trees brings with it a myriad of problems:

Structural Damage: In the way ivy climbs up onto trees, it creates dense mats of foliage that add considerably upon branches. Added weight thus increases the chances of breakage for branches, particularly in high winds or storms.

It also competes for light, water, and all other nutrients by means of dense foliage to strangle out the light in the leaves of the tree to impede the photosynthesis as well as grow the tree gradually.

Moisture caught along the bark by the excessive growth of Ivy would cause increased vulnerability towards rot and other decays. The other entry points for pathogens will be made with their way into penetrating the bark created by the excessive rootlets existing in the stem of the Vine.

Tree Death: Uncontrolled ivy may totally envelop a tree, strangling it to death, eventually killing it.

How to Identify English Ivy on Trees

First and foremost, one should identify the English ivy correctly before doing something about it. Its features include:

Leaves: Dark green waxy leaves that have three to five lobes and conspicuous light-colored veins.
Growth Habit: Vining stems with small aerial rootlets that cling to surfaces.

Flowers and Berries: In mature plants, small yellow-green flowers appear in late summer or fall, followed by dark blue-black berries.

How to Remove English Ivy from Trees

Removing English ivy from trees is a delicate process that requires care and patience to avoid damaging the tree. Here’s how to safely remove ivy:

1. Gather Tools and Supplies

You will need:

1. Gloves to protect your hands from irritation.
2. Pruners or loppers for cutting ivy stems.
3. A garden knife or scraper for loosening ivy rootlets.
4. A tarp or bucket to collect removed ivy.

2. Cut the Ivy at the Base

All the ivy stems should be cut at the base of the tree, about 3-5 feet above the ground. It will cut off the ivy’s access to the soil and cannot draw up nutrients and water. Use clean cuts with the pruners or loppers.

3. Develop a “Lifeline” Zone

Clear a band of ivy from the tree trunk about 3-5 ft. wide around it. That way, whatever above this level of ivy will eventually turn dead. However, do not pull the ivy off at this point yet because that will remove some or most of the bark on your tree.

4. Pull out Ivy from Ground

Pull up ivy from the ground from all sides of the trunk, at least 3 feet out from the trunk. Remove new shoots before they climb their way back on to the tree. Pull ’em all; ivy comes back from a little piece of root left in the soil.

5. Observe and Wait

Let that ivy die back itself above the cut area. This should take several weeks to months. Once the ivy dies off, it will dry up and be pulled off from the tree with minimal disruption to the tree’s bark.

6. Extract Dead Ivy

Remove the dead ivy gently from the tree trunk and branches. Use a garden knife or scraper to loosen stubborn rootlets but do not gouge out the bark. Ivy that resists should be allowed to decay before removing.

Controlling Future Growth

After your ivy removal, take control over future growth by:

Watching for Growth: Keep an eye on your tree and surroundings for new ivy growth and remove it immediately.

Add a thin layer of mulch around the base of the tree trunk to prevent the re-growth of ivy as well as other weeds. Mulch should never be applied closer than a few inches to the trunk to avoid trapping moisture.

Alternatives to Ground Covers: Replace it with native low-maintenance ground covers that are less aggressive and friendly to the environment.

Neighborhood Actions: If ivy is widespread throughout your neighborhood, partner with neighbors or local environmental organizations to stop its spread.

Removing Ivy

Removed Ivy Disposal and Education

Dispose of the removed ivy in a way that it will not grow somewhere else:

Pack and Trash: Put ivy into sturdy garbage bags and place in the regular trash. Never compost ivy because it will grow from the cuttings.

Burn: In areas where burning is permitted, ivy can be burned as a disposal method.

When to Seek Professional Help

In some cases, ivy removal may require professional assistance:

Large Trees: If the tree is tall or heavily infested, professional arborists can safely remove ivy without risking injury or tree damage.

Delicate Situations: Trees with thin bark or existing damage may need expert care to avoid further harm during ivy removal.

The Bigger Picture: Controlling English Ivy in the Landscape

While individual trees are important, the control of the larger landscape is critical to native ecosystems. In many areas of the country, English ivy is considered invasive and displaces native plants through its ability to out-compete them for resources. Here are some large-scale tips for managing ivy:

Remove Ivy from Structures: Prevent ivy from spreading by removing it from the structures around your home, such as walls and fences.

Replace it with local flora, which may serve as habitats and source of food to the native fauna.

Make the public aware that the introduced English ivy harms the native environment.

Conclusion

English ivy may look very attractive in your landscape, but it is a serious threat as it invades the environment and damages trees. Understanding the risks and proper removal techniques can help protect your trees and make the environment healthier. With regular maintenance and proactive measures, your landscape will be free from the damaging effects of English ivy.