Virginnia creeper..help we would like to remove it.

Gardenlover136 · Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

Hi there..
Im new to this website and really enjoying all your tips and ideas..
Today i have a problem and hope someone can help..
Ive recently bought a house and have transformed the garden its just the previous owner had a virginnia creeper up the walls of the house and we would like to remove it and have tried tirelessly all options..
Im begging for somebodys help with this one..
I have sought advice everywhere..
Please help..
Ele x Wink

Edited by moderator to add descriptive title............... see rule 11 http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about27.html

verge · Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject:

Do you mean kill it initially or do you mean remove the clinging residue from the walls?

Gardenlover136 · Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

I mean remove the clinging residue from the wall..it seems impossible!!!

medieval knievel · Sessile Oak Tree Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 318

flamethrower?

Sb · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:12 am Post subject:

walltoall · Last edited by walltoall on Tue Mar 10, 2009 1:01 am; edited 1 time in total

Everybody is in such a hurry these days. Presuming you cut the stem or stems coming out of the ground over the winter, you've stopped it growing. Presuming you have no leaves on the vines, why don't you just ignore it for a year and most if not all of it will fall off the walls? It holds on with what are called 'air-roots'. Starved of life and nutrients thay just die away. Next year a good brushing with a yard brush should clean off the walls

But if you want a nice week's work use something like a painter's knife or a light hatchet under each branch. Some scaffolding, someone to hold a ladder etc. Have fun anyway. That's the main thing. Oh! And don't get killed falling off anything.

Dr. Sunny Thomson

Liparis · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Here's how they grip.

Those gripping pads will hold on to the smoothest of surfaces, nothing will get them off.
Get a sharp blade and run it down between the wall and vine seperating the tendrils from the vine, take away the vine. you will be left with the pads adhering to the wall and bits of tendril, it's then up to yourself how much more work you want to do. Short of sand-blasting, it will be hard work, but does it matter if the pads remain? They are about 2 mm across. at least you will have the majority of the dead material away relatively easily.
Bill.

walltoall · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject: gripping news for tendrils

You tell it so well. Nice photo. Wish I could do visual technology. And your plant is budding nicely. I must go out and look at mine. (in the morning)

Gardenlover136 · Hazel Tree Joined: 06 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

Thanks guys for all the advice il definately try one of those poosibly the electric wire brush first see how that goes il keep ye posted!!!
Be on the lookout for ladder accidents in the cork area!!!

PennyG · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Hope it works and good luck with it.

Hopefully there will be NO ladder accidents, although i am the worst one when it comes to ladders, just ask my husband.....LOL!!!!