Helix ivy or "common ivy" is beautiful to look at, but when it starts snaking across the ground and wrapping around trees it can lead to serious damage. The small suckers with which ivy sticks to vertical surfaces are strong enough to peel off bark or plaster. Getting rid of ivy without causing other property damage is an operation that requires trimming the shoots, rolling and mulching to prevent it from re-rooting. Follow this guide to learn how to get rid of weed ivy.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Method 1: Remove Ivy from Trees
Step 1. Have your tools ready
The most important tool for removing ivy is a pair of scissors or shears, depending on the thickness of the shoots. Older ones can get as big as an arm, while younger ones are as thin as stems. In addition to getting everything you need, wear a pair of sturdy gloves to protect your hands as you uproot the ivy.
Step 2. Cut the shoots at the base of the tree
Go around the base of the trunk and cut each individual shoot at the ankle. Even a single branch left untouched can cause it to develop around the tree again, so it is important not to leave any.
- If there are particularly thick shoots, use a hand saw.
- Be careful not to cut or nick the tree itself. Ivy leaves make trees weaker and more prone to disease, so hacking the bark can cause other damage.
Step 3. Cut a second round of ivy at your shoulder
Use the same technique for each branch. This time, gently pull the sections away from the tree as you cut them. By making two cuts and pulling away the ivy parts at the base of the tree, you prevent the tall parts from receiving nourishment, causing them to die. Stack each cut shoot, then mulch the surrounding area to keep them from rooting again.
- When removing the ivy from the trunk, be careful not to remove the bark as well.
- The same method works for removing ivy from the exterior walls of buildings.
Step 4. Examine the trunk to see if you have missed anything
Take a close look to make sure no branches are left untouched. Cut and remove whatever you find, making sure you don't damage the tree.
Step 5. Remove the ivy from the ground
If the tree is surrounded by a carpet of ivy, you will need to remove it so it doesn't climb again. To remove a donut-shaped mat from the base of a tree, the so-called "lifebuoy cut" is practiced. Here's how to do it:
- Cut the ivy up to a distance of 2 meters from the trunk. Carve the shoots along different radial lines. Cut the ivy into sections so that it is easy to remove.
- Make cuts that connect each line.
- Start cutting out the mat section by section. Continue removing the ivy until you have cleaned the entire area around the base of the tree so that there is no more ivy within 2 meters.
Step 6. Wait for it to die
Now that you have cleared the entire base of the tree, the shoulder-height ivy will begin to dry out and turn brown. Do not try to take it off or pull it off. Pulling in fact, the suckers that hold it attached would also remove the bark and the tree could get sick. Dead ivy will look ugly at first but eventually the leaves will fall off and less noticeable.
Step 7. Check the area to make sure it does not grow back
After taking these steps, check the tree within a couple of weeks to make sure there is no new ivy growth nearby. When you find more ivy, cut it down.
Method 2 of 2: Method 2: Pull it out of the ground
Step 1. Cut the ivy into sections
Cut lines in the ivy along the ground to divide it into large sections. This will make it easier to remove. Divide the sections as you cut. Work carefully around the plant and throws you want to keep.
If you are on a slope, cut vertical lines from top to bottom to create sections that you can roll up
Step 2. Roll up the sections by removing them
Lift the edge of a section of ivy and roll it up on itself. Continue until you have deleted the entire section. Move the roll to another area and continue until you have cleaned the whole area.
Mulching is the best way to make sure that the rolled ivy doesn't root again
Step 3. Use herbicides instead
Common ivy is difficult to kill with herbicides alone because the leaves contain a hard-to-penetrate waxy barrier. Hence, the most effective method is to combine manual removal with the use of the herbicide. Glyphosate is a chemical that works perfectly in these cases.
- Spray the area where you want to kill the ivy but be careful not to touch other plants.
- Herbicides work slowly and should be applied approximately every six weeks.
Step 4. Use mulch to hold the ivy for storage
If you want to leave a portion of ivy intact, but at the same time want to prevent it from spreading again, you can use mulch to contain it. Simply cover the ivy with a few inches (15-20) of chopped mulch or shavings. It will take you some time with this method; leave the mulch on the ivy for at least two seasons. You will need to add more one or more times during the growing season.
Advice
Always wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts to protect your hands and arms when cutting or plucking ivy
Warnings
- Be especially careful when cutting or plucking ivy from trees as you could damage the bark, exposing it to invasive organisms and insects that could kill them.
- Wear work goggles to protect your eyes from debris and leaves.
- Do not put the weed or chopped ivy in the compost. It would grow again when you use compost.
