Ivy on trees

markdowling · Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

I have some large trees and some with some Ivy snaking it's way up them. One old sycamore tree has a particuarly large amount on it. Is this going to be a problem for the tree at some stage? Should I possibly thin out the Ivy or remove it?

Mark

Sive · Rowan Tree Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 131

I don't think there's a simple answer to this, it seems there are two schools of thought on this issue.
However, ivy seems to be valuable for wildlfe, and I wonder if it is only diseased or stressed trees that have problems with it?
I have read that a heavy growth of ivy in the upper part of a tree adds extra weight when the tree is coping with gales in the winter.
This debate has been going on for a long time, and I'm none the wiser!

GPI · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject:

The site search at the top of the page is helpful in this situation markdowling.
A search for ivy brought up this previous thread ivy killing trees
Plenty to consider there.

paddy-s · Hazel Tree Joined: 01 Aug 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Sligo

I am a firm believer in getting rid of Ivy off large trees. Ivy acts as a "sail" especially during Winter when you have wet ground, that is not being taken up by the leaves, and high winds.

We cut the Ivy stems a few inches off the ground and again a few inches above the first cut, in order to create a clear band around the tree. The Ivy above this dies and withers and can then be pulled off the tree.

This might need to be done every two or three years to keep it in check unless you want to chemically kill the plant.

inishindie · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject: Man on a donkey

Hi

A man on a mopehead once told me that ivy on trees are great for wildlife, but don't let it get to the side braches. This causes stress to the tree, especially in strong winds.

If you don't fancy getting the ladders out , cut the ivy back to head height every year.....that way the tree is happy, the wildlife is happy and you are happy... happy days...

Cheers

Ian

markdowling · Hazel Tree Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 7

Well I do appreciate Ivy might be benfecial for wildlife but I have quite a few very tall confiers and its also growing up them and I don't reckon it'll do them much harm. It just the trunk on the Sycamore is completely covered and its now advancing up the branches. I think I'll just do some selective cuts and strip off teh dead bits later.
Thanks for the advice everyone

Mark

mdvaden · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

A little bit generally is no issue.

But I find little benefit for it on trunks, and find it to be more of a nuisance.

One thing worh considering is species and sanitation.

If a certain tree has issues with certain fungi, leaf cover like ivy could store spores.

Western · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:42 pm Post subject:

I have an 8 to 10 metre Ash in my ditch which was totally covered in ivy all the way up to its crown. Thre tree was approx 12 to 15 years old.
I cut the ivy off, right down to 50 cm from the ground. I cut it twice, leaving a 10 cm gap between the cuts, as did paddy-s above. At this point , the ivy trunk was 4 cm thick. The Ash has never looked back. I cut it in autumn 2007 and the tree has had a great year since and survived all the West of Ireland's winter storms no prob. This summer I pulled dead ivy branches off where I could.
Mind you, the thin ivy stems are already back over 1 metre up the tree again ...