Control of Invasive English Ivy is possible. Now is a good time to start.
This American Beech tree was covered in invasive English Ivy vines.
Invasive English Ivy is ubiquitous in greater Atlanta. This evergreen vine, planted for ground cover, forms thick mats that smother native perennials, native shrubs and can even damage large canopy trees. By out-competing native vegetation, invasive plants degrade wildlife habitat and reduce biodiversity.
February and March are excellent times to control invasive English Ivy. There are no mosquitoes yet, temperatures are comfortable for outdoor activities, snakes are hibernating, and sensitive spring ephemeral plants have not yet sprung forth.
Large canopy trees should be released from English Ivy growing up the trunk as the weight of the vines can cause limbs to break during storms. The ivy also creates competition for sunlight, nutrients and water, which can weaken and ultimately kill the tree.
English ivy can be removed from trees by carefully prying the vines off the bark with a flat head screwdriver, being careful not to damage the bark of the tree. Once pulled away from the tree, the vines can be cut with pruners or a small hand saw. Pull downward on cut vines and remove them from the base of the tree and within a 6 foot radius around the tree. It is not advisable to pull the upper portions of the cut vines off the tree as this could damage the tree and be hazardous. The cut vines will dry up and gravity will eventually take care of them.
If the vines at the base of your trees are too big to pull up, it may be more efficient to apply herbicide to the cut stumps of the vines to kill them and prevent them from re-sprouting. You can find “stump killer” herbicides at any local hardware store or big box home improvement store. Be sure to thoroughly read and closely follow the herbicide label for the sake of efficacy and the safety of the applicator.
English Ivy creeping along the ground that has not yet formed a heavy dense mat can be easily pulled up as they are not deeply rooted. I know from experience that this can be a quite satisfying activity to grab a hold and pull and see how the vines are all interconnected. You can make quite a bit of progress and a nice pile of severed vines with a little bit of effort. Pulled vines can be placed in a pile and they will naturally decay and enrich the soil.
Extensive areas of well-established English Ivy may require chemical control. Spring is the best time to achieve good control when the new green leaves start to appear on the vines. The new leaves don’t yet have the waxy covering that the older leaves do and are therefore more susceptible to herbicides. It is important to avoid spraying herbicide on the trunks of non-target trees and any other plants that you wish to preserve. Follow all mixing, use, storage and safety instructions for whatever foliar herbicide you use. Repeated applications of herbicide will likely be necessary for extensive infestations.
If you don’t have the time or capability to control English Ivy on your property, there are landscaping contractors and arborists who can be hired to do this important maintenance work.
Persistence is key with any invasive plant control project. You can achieve good control over a few years of consistent effort. I started English Ivy control at our house in Sandy Springs when we moved here a little over a year and a half ago. Already I’ve seen pretty good control. But there are a few areas where follow-up is needed.
I’m looking forward to see what will pop up this spring in areas previously infested with English Ivy. Maybe spring beauties, liverwort, or other spring ephemerals will reappear. Their seeds can survive for years in the soil and they may experience a re-birth in the absence of the oppressive vine.
Roundlobe hepatica or liverwort, a spring ephemeral plant.
Reference:
English Ivy Control Clemson Cooperative Extension, Home and Garden Information Center. Factsheet HGIC 2327. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/english-ivy-control/