Climbing plants such as ivy, very often, can quickly invade gardens, walls, and trees. About fifteen species, notoriously infesting, belong to the Araliaceae family, among which the "Pittsburgh", "Stellata", Hibernica, Hedera helix and "Baltica" ivy stand out. To prevent ivy from invading windows, walls or other structures, it needs to be pruned regularly. You need to be able to keep the growth under control to prevent it from infecting the garden: if you were not able to manage it in the right way and you want to remove it partially or completely, read the article below to learn how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Weeding the Ivy from the Ground
Step 1. Organize your work
If the area to be cleaned is particularly large, you may want to get help from a couple of friends. To work, each of you will need to have pruning shears or a hacksaw to cut off the thickest branches, and the thickest roots.
Step 2. Define the perimeter of the ivy
Ivy grows rapidly, covering a large portion of land all around, including plants and objects. Those areas completely overgrown with ivy, generally in areas with little sunlight, are called "ivy patches". The first thing to do is to define the perimeter of the ivy plant, taking into account any other plants that have grown inside it.
Step 3. Cut off the roots at the edges of the bush
Using a pair of shears, work the edges of the ivy patch to cut off the branches, and the larger roots. If the area to be cleaned is particularly large, work in sections so you don't have to continually move around the area.
Step 4. Collect the ivy in rolls
Side by side with your helper, roll up the ivy like a giant carpet to turn into a long roll. Continue with the operation until the soil is completely free and the entire ivy plant has been removed: the larger the soil, the more rolls you will have to do.
Step 5. Remove the ivy permanently
Once you've finished removing the ivy, focus on the roots. If you do not want the ivy to reappear in your garden soon, check that you have completely removed the roots of the plant, before moving the rolls.
Step 6. Double-check the area to make sure you have removed the entire plant
Careful control is really necessary to prevent ivy from starting to invade another part of the garden. Before moving the rolls you prepared earlier, calmly review the cleaned area for any weeds. Also carefully remove roots, and very small branches. A small root is enough to allow the ivy to persist.
Method 2 of 4: Remove the Ivy from the Trees
Step 1. Try to find the exact extension of the plant
The branches of the ivy plant develop in every direction and are able to incorporate entire trees; unfortunately, it often happens that ivy suffocates their roots, causing them to die. Therefore, check the health of the trees and the degree of infestation: sometimes, when the tree is compromised, it is necessary to remove it together with the ivy.
Step 2. Decide which area you want to clear the ivy
Thankfully, it isn't always necessary to remove it completely in order to weed it out of a tree. The roots are in the ground, therefore, just remove the lower part and the one inserted into the ground, then the rest of the plant will dry out and it will be easier to eliminate it. However, if there is enough room for maneuver, it is best to remove it completely. If the tree is almost entirely besieged, to prune the ivy you have to start from about one, one and a half meters from the roots of the tree, going up towards the trunk, and around, within a radius of an abundant meter.
Step 3. Start cutting the ivy twisted around the trunk
Help yourself with shears or a garden saw to remove the ivy around the base of the trunk. Be prepared psychologically because it will take elbow grease to remove the ivy from the trunk, and don't worry if you happen to break part of the roots, you will think about it later: one step at a time, focus on cutting and cleaning the trunk well now.
Step 4. Remove any remaining branches
Once most of the plant has been removed, check around the tree to remove any additional branches or roots. This operation is very important because, to prevent the ivy plant from regrowing, all the roots must be cut and removed.
Step 5. Take away the ivy
Transport the removed plant away from the ground and store it in a dry area, for example in a small warehouse or shed where it cannot be in contact with the earth. If, on the other hand, you have a waste bin available, you can throw away the removed plant directly.
Method 3 of 4: Remove Ivy from Walls and Fences
Step 1. Prepare the materials needed for the operation
Removing ivy from walls or fences may turn out to be less trivial than you think: to avoid damaging walls or fences, care must be taken when removing ivy. Most of the work will be done with your hands, but get a pair of work gloves, shears, a hose or container for water, a wire brush, dishwashing liquid or herbicide, and if possible, a torch to burn weeds and brushwood.
Step 2. Prepare for removal
Using the cane, start wetting the ivy: this operation serves to make the stems and the roots of the plant softer, facilitating its extraction from the ground. To remove the ivy, start from the top and gradually work your way down, doing so will give the water time to soften the soil around the roots and it will be less tiring to pull them out.
Step 3. Detach the ivy from the structure you want to clear
To avoid damage to the walls or fence, use your hands to pry off the ivy branches. To remove stubborn stems, use shears: once the hardest branches have been pruned, tear them off with your hands. Don't pull too hard or you risk damaging the wood or mortar of the walls that the ivy has stuck to over time.
Step 4. Complete the removal job with the brush
When you are done plucking and pruning the larger branches, including leaves and stems, use the wire brush or other stiff-bristled tool to remove any remaining cirrus. Don't get the brush wet at first, and try to remove as much as possible.
Step 5. Rinse the frame
Fill a bucket, or a large enough container, with water and a detergent, dip the brush and go over the entire structure. The cleaner will help in the definitive elimination of the plant, or parts of it, left on the structure.
Step 6. If that's not enough, other suggestions are on your way
If the steps explained above were not enough to permanently remove the ivy from the structure, you have two options: use a herbicide or burn the plant. The first solution does not give an immediate result, but it is better as regards the conservation of the wood and bricks that make up the structure. The second is certainly more effective, but can only be used if the structure is made of bricks, even if it could damage the color. In both cases, be careful to attack only the ivy, without compromising the structure, parts of it, or other nearby plants.
Method 4 of 4: Permanently get rid of the Ivy
Step 1. Let the ivy dry in the sun
This plant is very resistant and could survive even once uprooted from the ground: if, however, this is particularly dry and hard, the chances are very low. If you prefer, you can spread the removed ivy on a gravel area or on concrete, in full sun. It may take several days, but at some point you will notice that the plant will begin to wither and slowly die: absorbing heat and not being able to find nutrients from the soil, it will slowly dry out.
Step 2. Alternatively, you can pack ivy in bags
If you have large plastic bags on hand, you can use them to collect and cram ivy for days or weeks. Instead of letting it dry in the sun, you can take it out of the light by placing the bags in a cool, dark place away from the ground and other plants.
Step 3. You can use a wood chipper
If you have a wood chipper or can borrow it from someone, you may want to shred the removed plant. This is certainly a good way to eliminate it, but remember to store the remains away from home and garden to avoid a new infestation.
Step 4. Last chance:
burn the ivy. Most likely it is the most practical solution but not the safest: if you decide to burn the remains of the plant, because you believe that the methods mentioned above are not effective enough or take too long, check the safety provisions on the matter, disseminated by the municipality in where you live. Remember that the plant, containing water, will create a lot of smoke, so before starting to burn, check methods and times in compliance with safety regulations.
Advice
If you notice that ivy tends to expand quickly, start containing it by pruning it regularly
Warnings
- Be very careful to remove ivy from trees. Do not try to remove the ivy by pulling it from the branches, you could drop dead branches, hornets or other insects nests.
- Keep children and pets away. The leaves and fruits of the ivy can be toxic if consumed in large doses.
