Protect Your Tree’s Canopy by Cutting Away Ivy

Though ivy roped around your tree may be a beautiful sight to see, it is most likely causing harm. While a little ivy is okay it is a good practice to cut it anyway. When ivy, especially the fast-growing English Ivy, reaches the tree’s canopy it poses a danger to the tree’s health. Ivy deprives trees of nutrients, such as water and sunlight. It can weigh down branches, making them more vulnerable during storms. Lastly, ivy weakens trees over time and makes them more susceptible to pest.

How to Remove Ivy

There are a few ways to tackle your tree’s ivy issue. If you are more hands-on it is recommended that you cut or pull away the vines from the tree, if not you can dowse them in vinegar.

To remove by hand:

• Water tree or wait until after a rainfall, when the soil is soft
• Use pruners to cut ivy stems away from their roots at the trunk of the tree
• Pull the root from the ground
• Instead of removing the ivy from the tree, it is better to let it die on its own to prevent damage to tree bark

To remove using vinegar:

• Fill a garden sprayer with white vinegar and spray directly on the leaves, being careful not to wet other plants or grass
• One week after application check the ivy to see if it is brown. Repeat application if leaves are still green each week until they are brown and safe to remove without damaging the bark.
• When the ivy is brown or appears dead, remove it, starting from the roots