The Creeping Vine You Can Grow In Your Yard That May Be Causing Damage To Your Trees

Vines can be an amazing way to add height and elegance to your landscaping. And from grape vines to trumpet vines, many can make excellent additions to your yard if handled correctly. Unfortunately, not all vines are good options for North America. English ivy (Hedera helix), despite its beauty, is an invasive plant in many states and can easily damage structures and trees if not controlled.

Considering how much beauty and shade your trees likely offer, the last thing you want is for them to be harmed. Unfortunately, this is exactly what English ivy can do. Not only does the vine often block light from reaching trees' leaves, but it can cause the trees to be more vulnerable to harmful fungi and bacteria. Additionally, the weight of the vines can make branches or even the whole tree more likely to break and fall. Even worse, because English ivy is so aggressive, it can easily escape and cause the same damage to trees in local forests and parks.

Considering all the problems with the invasive vine, it's best to get rid of English ivy by removing it as soon as you can from any trees or other structures. Be sure to wear gloves when working with the plants, as English ivy can cause contact dermatitis in some cases. Cutting the ivy at the base of the tree and peeling off as much of the plant as you can reach from the tree's trunk should ensure that the ivy eventually dies. Make sure to go all the way around the tree when removing the invasive ivy, and don't make the mistake of damaging the trunk in the process. Because English ivy can regrow from small pieces, be careful when disposing of cut plant parts. Additionally, you should check the tree regularly to make sure the ivy isn't growing back.

If you miss the look of English ivy, you can always try growing bush ivy (x Fatshedera lizei). This ivy hybrid resembles English ivy, but without its invasive qualities. Bush ivy needs to be tied to a support to grow as a vine, so you won't need to worry about it damaging your trees.