Ivy on Trees

[MayberrySaint]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but I figured someone would know the answer...

I just bought an investment/fixer-upper property and the landscaping is out-of-control. One area next to the house has beautiful tree specimens (ash, pecan, oak) but they are covered in English Ivy and Poison Ivy. I have removed the Poison Ivy but wasn't sure if the English Ivy was detrimental to the health of the trees...

Any ideas...should it be removed or is it harmless?

 

[DuckyBoys]

I was in England over the winter all my friend kept saying about the trees is how badly they needed to remove that ivy! I have no idea if he was right but it seemed like it was a bad thing and that in his opinion it would kill them eventually. I dunno though - they WERE like 50 feet tall?? So maybe killing the tree is realtive to time?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

If it were my property, I'd remove the ivy from the trees, but be warned that you'll be fighting the ivy roots & sprouts for a few years unless you firebomb the entire acreage.

But some people prefer the "ancient" look of things slightly overgrown and wild.

Me, I'm a neatnick, so my choice would be for good specimen trees to be unfettered by ivy.

Welcome back Mayberry.

 

[flyingmonkeypoop]

I am pretty sure it will choke it out. We have had ivy and honey suckle kill off some maple trees at our lake house.

 

[chicks rule]

Good to see you Mayberry, found this online it may answer your question.

http://www.ivy.org/qa_8.html

 

[carousel]

ENGLISH Ivy will kill those trees,
it is not harmless
it will also increase the chances that those trees come down in a storm.
My neighbor refused to remove the tree on his property that was covered on ivy, many of the vines 6+" in diamater.

Until the tree crashed down into MY yard destroyed one of my out buildings and crashed into my garage.

btw I watched this tree die over 8 yrs. It was in "okay" health but declining over about 8 yrs until it was almost dead before it came down.

English IVY at least in the NW is a very damaging invasive plant that should JUST not be here.

here is some other reading on English Ivy
http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm

 

[bayouchica]

Hi Andy, we had a big sycamore tree growing up & it had english ivy almost to the top of it,never hurt the tree at all.That tree still stands today,lol

I would think ivy gives alot of protection for little animals,if its not an eyesore I'd leave it be.

Nice to see back, Miriam

 

[carousel]

The thing Ivy is known to give great protection to at least in the Pac NW in sububian areas is rats!
I have heard of people calling them rat highways!

It is is possible that in other parts of the country IVY is not such a problem, but it is a very damaging plant. I can't imagine a mature plant would be good around Chickens. They produce a berry
"""NOTE: The leaves and berries of English ivy contain the glycoside hederin which could cause toxicosis if ingested. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, hyperactivity, breathing difficulty, coma, fever, polydipsia, dilated pupils, muscular weakness, and lack of coordination. This feature also helps ensure effective seed dispersal by birds. """""

 

[hollyclyff]

When I was a kid, my mom planted ivy at the base of a big oak tree in our back yard. It eventually smothered the tree, completely covering the tree's own leaves, and killing the tree. I'd get the ivy out of there.

 

[sundance]

They had an article on the internet,I use MSN for a homepage and it listed 12 plants NOT TO PLANT,and ivey was one of them,It has destroyed a large tree near the street, and look for it to blow down next wind. Try pallensmith.com he usually has good information since he is a master gardener,something I will never be.