ivy

[suhayb]

the problem is a friends tree, or rather the ivy that is killing it. 
He... no we....no, I want it dead dead dead at the roots before we rip it out! >:(
Don't like chemicals  but i want it dead. (Have i metioned that i really want this beast dead?? ::))
has anyone actually tried glyphospahte on ivy?
Read that glossy leaves are a problem, any alternatives please?

[suhayb]

[tim]

You may have met your match. I think I have!

Ivy everywhere & it even seems to shrug off SBK or Roundup. Needs much patience. And any that is left on a tree will continue grow, taking its moisture from the tree.

I shall watch this space!!

PS Just been reminded of Bill Oddie's plea that we should grow Ivy for the sake of wildlife!!

[Robert_Brenchley]

What makes you think it's the ivy which is killing the tree? It doesn't take aything from the tree apart from support, so very likely it's an old tree which is dying anyway. ivy's so good for roosting birds, bats, etc, that I always try to pursuade people to leave it.

[undercarriage plan]

If you're determined to remove it, though I have to say I agree with previous replies, you could try cutting it at the base.  Then treat the base with chemical.  It will die, but you'll be left with tree full of dead ivy!!! Urrhhhh!
Lottie  ;D :o :o

[Clayhithe]

Robert,

Whatever they told you on GQT,  or anywhere else,  ivy kills trees and hedges.   It competes for water and nutrients from the ground,  and it deprives the trunk,  stems and leaves of light.
AT used to say that if your wall is sound,  ivy won't damage it:  what rubbish: the climbing roots gradually dig bits out of the mortar and rip the surface off the bricks.
Just because it's slow doesn't mean it's not happening.

As Tim says,  nothing kills ivy.

Every year I cut it off at ground level and it just grows back.

Sorry,  I seem to have ranted a bit.

[honeybee]

Ive been keeping my eye on four trees in the local town that are covered in ivy and one is dying, and it does look like its the ivy that has strangled it :(

[Marianne]

We recently planted two ivy plants in the border in the hope they would climb over the fence, but to no avail.  It just didn't want to grip and we were so fed up with this situation that we dug it up and dumpt it without ado.

I sometimes feel guilty as the plants were very healthy and pretty but did not want to climb.   ??? :(

[suhayb]

Thanks for not getting my hopes up!  looks like it will have to be cut and pull for the next few years.

I was very surprised at the defense of ivy by some of you.
I always seem to have it in the wrong place.

Wildlife point noted and admired, but not quite convinced or rather i don't understand why ivy is better for wildlife than other plants, shrubs, trailers and climbers. 

happy growing, whatever your pleasure!

[tim]

A dense habitat with pollen & lashings of berries?

[westsussexlottie]

I have IVY KILLER GEL.
On smallish infestations it does work. I know it isn't organic and isn't great for the environment but nor is driving a car and most of us do that without thinking twice. I have used it in our courtyard garden - otherwise it would have been an ivy patch and no garden.

[redimp]

Thanks for not getting my hopes up!  looks like it will have to be cut and pull for the next few years.

I was very surprised at the defense of ivy by some of you.
I always seem to have it in the wrong place.

Wildlife point noted and admired, but not quite convinced or rather i don't understand why ivy is better for wildlife than other plants, shrubs, trailers and climbers. 

happy growing, whatever your pleasure!

It is the food crop of some rarer caterpillars and mine is full of things hibernating and pupating.  It also get chocker with hammock spiders that I hand feed the beasties from my garden.

[dibberxxx]

i have loads of ivy growing along the back of my fence i think it looks better then the seeing the fence , The ivy was there when we move in and the birds love it hawthorn trees grow behind  the ivy has grown all over it but does not seem to have affected them in any way i also have loads of spiders and creepy crawlys living in the ivy which are very good for the garden eating all the predators, but i am properly the wrong person to ask about ivy as i do love the stuff ;) ;) ;)

[Marley Farley]

:) I have allot of ivy around a fence, I keep this bit as it's nice to look at & nothing to damage there!! I did have to remove a stubborn "ivy tree"!! that was strangling a small Lilac & I mean strangling :'( I cut it off 6" above ground then again another 4" up &  then removed the piece of ivy stem & left the ivy to die back ;D It is very ugly though when it's dying as it takes a while B****y stuff!! then I cut a cross in the stump of it & the small bits  made a paste of sbk & wallpaper paste pushed it into the crosses & crossed my fingers  :-\ It did work  ;D ;D  but it was a mess to look at for a year you obviously have to do this when it's going to be dry for a day or so. That Lilac is doing well now though ;D  I know it's not organic but sometimes needs must ::) Good Luck  :)