Some ivy species growing up fences and trees appear harmless and may improve the appearance of your landscape. However, many ivy species, including Hedera Helix, can cause severe damage to trees, plants, and shrubs. Learning how to remove ivy from trees helps ensure your tree’s healthy growth.
Invasive ivy weeds sap trees of vital nutrients and restrict sunlight to growing branches. Over time, English Ivy found in the northeast may cause defoliation and decomposition of affected trees. If you notice abundant vine growth on your trees, contact expert tree care services in Fairfield County for professional help protecting your trees.
This blog outlines the safest practices for how to remove ivy from trees. With a little TLC, you can protect your beautiful trees from invasive ivy species.
Understanding Ivy Vines
Early settlers in the United States used ivy for groundcover, but since the 1700s, English Ivy species have become incredibly invasive plants. You can find English Ivy vines at the base of trees, along the crown, and interwoven between branches. Distinct characteristics of invasive ivy include:
- Dark green leaves
- Light green leaf veins
- Moderate green fruit growth
- Perennial growth
English Ivy primarily thrives during fall, deteriorating tree health as your trees prepare for winter dormancy periods. Trees lacking proper water, minerals, and sunlight before winter have an increased risk of dying or collapsing during freezing cold winter nights. Thankfully, removing vines from your trees may prove more straightforward than you think.
Removing Ivy from Trees
Before undertaking vine removal projects, confirm the vine species affecting your landscape. Contact with poison ivy can cause severe discomfort and pain without proper safety precautions. Home and business owners can safely remove ivy from trees by considering the following tips:
Remove the Roots
Ivy plants grow thriving root systems underground. So start by locating and removing all visible ivy roots. Avoid hastily pulling ivy roots up through the ground, as underground ivy roots may become entangled in tree roots, water lines, and septic systems. Instead, use pruning shears to cut ivy roots flush at ground level.
Protect Tree Bark
Ivy plants grow tiny, fibrous root hairs that firmly attach to trees. Recklessly pulling ivy from trees may result in cracked bark, damaged cambium and sapwood layers, and further strained tree vascular systems. Gently work up the tree, using pruning shears to detach ivy from the bark.
Ivy Disposal
Learning how to remove ivy from trees includes watching out for the further spread of ivy. English ivy species drop tiny seeds that migrate to nearby trees through animal waste and gusting winds. Once you have removed invasive ivy, always bag and remove detached vines as soon as possible to prevent ivy seeds from regerminating and harming your trees.
Preventing Problematic Ivy Growth
You can minimize ivy’s damaging effects by considering the following tips:
Tree Health
Healthy trees more easily recover from invasive ivy. Create a strict watering, fertilizing, and mulching routine for your trees to prevent wounded trees from becoming dying trees. Deep-watering techniques and slow-releasing fertilizers supplement trees with essential nutrients stolen by hungry ivy species.
Professional Assistance
Highly trained arborists have the experience and training to detect and remove ivy without damaging your trees. Professional tree services can also help you test soil quality and develop a comprehensive tree health maintenance plan.
Top-Rated Tree Services in Fairfield County
North Eastern Tree, Shrub, & Lawn Care proudly serves Fairfield County and the surrounding areas. As full-service tree experts, we offer a wide range of tree trimming, removal, and growing services designed to beautify your home or business. Call North Eastern Tree, Shrub, & Lawn Care at (888) 439-8733 to learn how to remove ivy from trees and the benefits of tree pruning in Fairfield County!
