Managing English Ivy 🌱
A cross section of a tree burdened by English ivy
The other day, our Maintenance and Restoration (M&R) manager sent us the above photo as a reminder that “English ivy kills.” It was a timely reminder because winter is a fantastic time to manage this invasive species. Some of our most prolific invasive species like English ivy stay green through the winter and will stick out like a sore thumb. Take a glance in any nearby woods right now and you should be able to pick out the plagued trees in seconds.
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, English ivy was introduced to the United States by European settlers in the 18th century. It was (and still is) prized for its lush, evergreen foliage and its ability to quickly cover walls, fences, and gardens, lending a romantic and sophisticated air to landscapes. They don’t call it ivy league for nothing! But if left unchecked, English ivy creates a positive feedback loop (or a process that, when enacted, amplifies its own effects) by smothering native plants, reducing biodiversity, and altering soil conditions, which further favors its own growth and spread. So, give it an inch, and it will take a mile…
This tree was covered from top to bottom with ivy. The weight and dense growth weakened the tree, making it more susceptible to wind damage and disease. And once that tree falls, the feedback loop continues. The ivy has now been fired into a new direction and will start plaguing new areas. Its ability to regrow from fragments and set roots anywhere along the plant makes it extraordinarily efficient at spreading. So, what’s the best way to manage it?
The same tree from above. Although the tree is dead, the ivy will persist!
How to Manage English Ivy
A term we intentionally try to avoid is “invasive removal.” Our M&R team has emphasized to all of us at CoFo the importance of avoiding this term, even though it can be standard in some circles. Why? Because, in short, it downplays the reality of invasive species. They are here to stay; we will never fully “remove” or “eradicate” them and be done with it. If we use language that feigns finality, it can give the wrong impression. Invasive species are something that you manage and maintain. So, here’s how we recommend managing and maintaining English ivy:
Hand-Pulling and Mechanical Removal
- Remove ivy or kudzu by hand, pulling vines and ensuring roots are removed from the soil.
- If you have ivy matting the ground, continual mowing after an initial removal can train the ivy not to come back.
- For climbing ivy, cut vines at the base and remove them from the tree to prevent regrowth. You MUST remove every single vine 360 degrees all the way around the trunk. See the photo below for an example.
- Ivy fragments left behind can regrow, so thorough removal is critical.
- Prioritize removing ivy from trees to prevent smothering and weakening them.
Preventive Measures
- Discourage further planting or selling of English ivy in landscaping and gardening. Yes, you can buy this plant today at any Home Depot or Lowe’s!
- Educate homeowners and landscapers about the invasiveness of English ivy.
- Regularly monitor and remove new ivy growth before it takes hold again. New ivy is much, much easier to pull up!
A treated tree! The ivy now has no root system or access to re-root itself. The few feet of bare trunk allows us to easily see potential ivy regrowth.
The same tree prior to treatment! What a mess.
This winter, see if there’s an opportunity to help a tree out. It’ll be easy to spot the distressed trees for the next couple of months, as English Ivy gleams through the canopy. Maybe it’s in your yard, or a neighbor’s yard, or local park. All you need is a handsaw! And if you’d like a hand, our M&R team can help.