Don't Let Ivy Take Over Your Landscape

The oak trees shown here would usually be a beautiful part of the back yard landscape for this client, but instead they have been choked out by the ivy and are in decline. The client wants to remove the trees instead of cutting the ivy off in this case. Normally, this would be a straightforward removal but in this case the majority of the ivy needs to be removed before the tree can be safely taken down. (Ivy needs to be removed enough to where the Arborist can inspect the tree for any defects that could cause the tree to fail during removal)

In short, between extra time needed for removal and extra time spent cleaning up debris (ivy) this tree can cost 1.5 to 2 times more than the normal market price to remove. Don't let ivy overtake your landscape!

​Most people don't realize how damaging ivy can be to a tree.
- it can potentially choke out the canopy of a tree, causing it to partially or completely die back
- it adds hundreds of pounds of extra weight to a tree, which could cause an otherwise healthy tree to fail in extreme weather conditions
- it can hide mechanical defects that exist on a tree such as cavities or areas of decay
- it can make a tree much more costly to remove

How can you effectively manage ivy on your property?

- Prune ivy around the base of each tree that has ivy growing on it
- Be sure not to damage the bark of the tree when cutting the ivy off
- Don't use a chopping style tool, like an axe or machete, to remove the ivy, instead use a hand saw.
- You only have to cut away ivy on the lower 4 to 5 feet of the trunk, the rest will die and fall off over time
- Ivy may try to grow back up the trunk later, but it should be easy to prevent if you add "ivy prevention and pruning" to your yard maintenance plan once or twice a year.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us.

Scott Rushing  or   Rebekah Rushing
Classic City Arborists

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Author

Scott Rushing is a father, small business owner, and ISA-Certified Arborist. If you’ve done any work with us, then you’ve definitely met him! He holds a degree in Agricultural Education from UGA, and has over 10 years of experience in the tree service industry. When he’s not climbing trees, he is Daddy to two under four, both redheads like him, and likes to spend his time going on adventures with his family. If you’d like to schedule an estimate or get more information about the kind of work Scott does, check our website, blog, or feel free to give him a call!