English Ivy
June 2012
I have a lot behind my home that is being taken over by English Ivy. It is taking
over my fence and trees just beyond my back yard. Is there anything that will kill
this stuff? I keep pulling it and cutting it off my fence-which is a never ending
battle. I tried glyphosate twice once normal strength and once triple strength to
no effect. Is there anything that I can use that will kill it. I do not want it to
kill the trees behind my home, and I am tired of the constant fight to keep it out
of my yard. Any advice would be appreciated.
This is why I warn people, make sure you want it BEFORE you plant it. English ivy
has a very waxy coating on the leaves which helps to repel herbicide damage. I would
cut it back as severely as possible and then use a weed-eater or lawn mower to damage
the remaining leaves before you spray with a herbicide like Round-up. Breaking up
the outer waxy layer will allow the herbicide to penetrate. Late summer to early fall
would be the best time to do this as it will store more of the chemical in the root
system. I seriously doubt one application will totally kill it, but over time, you
can get rid of it.
October 2008
Does English ivy harm trees when it climbs up the trunk?
Ivy in and of itself will not hurt a tree if it is kept relegated to the trunk. The
problem occurs if the ivy is left to grow unchecked. Then the vines grow up and out
on the limbs. The added weight, especially during a wind, ice or snow storm, can lead
to limb breakage. Heavy vines also compete for sunlight. If you like the look of ivy
on a tree, keep it only on the trunk. It would be easier to maintain if you never
had it start growing in the first place.