English Ivy Tree Damage: Tips On Removing Ivy From Trees
Without periodic pruning, the English ivy vine can become a nuisance when it climbs your trees. Learn about ivy damage to trees and what to do about it.
![English Ivy Growing Up A Tree](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6bprP2WaSyrn25Tv3PPiuU-415-80.jpg)
![Nikki Tilley](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tkgqYrLGzccAs7hP8Y53Kb.jpeg)
English ivy in the garden can be beautiful. The vigorous vine not only grows rapidly, but is also hardy with little maintenance involved in its care, making this ivy an exceptional groundcover plant. However, without periodic pruning to keep it in check, English ivy can become a nuisance, especially with regard to trees in the landscape. Read on to learn more about possible ivy damage to trees and what can be done to alleviate the problem.
Does it Harm Trees for Ivy to Grow?
In spite of differing opinions, English ivy has the potential to damage trees and shrubs at some point, especially when the vine is allowed to run rampant.
Overgrown ivy plants can eventually suppress nearby vegetation and engulf tree trunks. This can lead to a number of issues affecting the overall health of trees. While a tree may survive initially, the growth of ivy vines can weaken it over time, leaving it susceptible to pests, disease and wind damage as well as poor foliage growth.
English Ivy Tree Damage
Ivy damage to trees may eventually result in strangulation of younger trees due to the sheer weight of overgrown English ivy vines, which can become rather large. As the vine climbs the trunk, it creates fierce competition for water and nutrients. Ivy roots have the added potential of becoming intertwined with tree roots, which can further limit nutrient uptake.
Once it surrounds branches or reaches the tree canopy, English ivy can block out sunlight and deprive contact with air…essentially choking the tree out.
Additionally, ivy damage to trees includes the possibility of rot, pest infestation and disease issues, as trees without proper water, nutrients, light or air circulation are weaker and more susceptible to problems.
Weakened trees are more likely to fall during storms, putting homeowners at risk for possible injury or property damage.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
Removing ivy from trees is imperative to ensure the continued health of your trees. Even with aggressive pruning of English ivy, there’s no guarantee the vine will remain well-behaved.
Getting rid of English ivy is difficult, and unbeknownst to many gardeners is the fact that these vines, when reaching full maturity, produce small greenish flowers followed by black berries. These berries are favored by wildlife, like birds, and may result in further spread of the plant via random droppings here and there.
How to Remove English Ivy from Trees
When removing ivy from trees, it should be done carefully to avoid damage to both the trunk and the roots. Additionally, it should be noted that the sap of English ivy can cause a rash in sensitive individuals, so wear gloves and long sleeves.
There’s a term referred to as the “Life-saver” method which can be performed in removing ivy from trees. Basically, this involves removal of ivy in a 3- to 5-foot (.9 to 1.5 m.) circle from the tree, like lifesaver candy, with the tree itself being the hole in the middle. The first step of this pruning method involves cutting away all the English ivy vines around the tree at eye level. Likewise, you can simply choose to cut an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm.) section from the ivy stem. Depending on the size of these vines, clippers, loppers or even a hand saw may be necessary. As the individual vines are cut, they can be slowly peeled downward from the bark. Work your way down the trunk to the base of the tree, pulling back the ivy at ground level at least 3 to 5 feet (.9 to 1.5 m.).
You can then cut the vines at ground level, treating the fresh cuts with a solution of horticultural vinegar mixed with dish soap and salt. Doing this on sunny winter days seems to be more effective, as the cooler temperatures allow the solution to penetrate the plant more easily.
You will likely have to come back later to treat any new sprouts, but these will eventually weaken the vine and it will stop putting out new growth. As the vine dries out in the tree, the dead ivy can be easily removed from the tree with a slight tug.
![Nikki Tilley](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tkgqYrLGzccAs7hP8Y53Kb.jpeg)
Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.
- Caroline BloomfieldManager of Marketing Communications
-
Urban Composting Guide: How To Compost In The Middle Of The City
Urban composting does not have to be daunting. You can compost in the city, and maybe even try some urban worm composting!
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Shrub Diseases And Pests To Watch Out For
Shrub diseases and pests can be challenging. Learn how to recognize and eradicate them before they can present a danger to your plants.
By Susan Albert
-
Algerian Ivy Care: Tips For Growing Algerian Ivy Plants
Evergreen vines can be used as groundcovers for troublesome areas of the garden, such as slopes or other areas where grass has a hard time establishing. Algerian ivy plants are one such plant that will easily establish, where turf or other plants won?t. Learn more here.
By Darcy Larum
-
English Ivy Pruning: Tips On How And When To Trim Ivy Plants
Whether English ivy is grown indoors or out, this fast-growing plant benefits from an occasional trim to stimulate new growth, improve air circulation, and keep the vine within boundaries and looking its best. Learn more in this article.
By Mary H. Dyer
-
English Ivy: Complete Plant Care & Growing Guide
Lush English ivy is beautiful clinging to old buildings and creeping up fences, but it can be aggressive and invasive. You might love it more as a prolific houseplant.
By Jackie Carroll
-
Tips For How To Kill English Ivy
The same traits that make English ivy a wonderful ground cover can also make it a pain to remove from your yard. Removing ivy can be a difficult task, but not an impossible one. This article will help.
By Heather Rhoades