How to remove dead ivy from tree?
May 9, 2015 11:00 PM Subscribe
There is this tree with ivy growing all the way up it, from bottom to top. I am going to kill it.
But then this tree will be covered in ugly dead brown ivy. I guess after a few years all the leaves will fall off, but it will still look bad. I understand that physically pulling the ivy off can damage the tree. I'm hoping someone will have an idea for how to improve the aesthetics of the tree after the ivy has died--without hurting the tree.
An arborist can and should be the one to do this. Alternatively, you can pay for a consult (probably pretty cheap) just to get specific advice on your situation.
You probably want a pro's advice. NOT tree trimmers (geez, no!) but an actual arborist.
Do you have a local botanical garden nearby? Call them. Someone on staff there with a university degree is probably available for private consultation.
10 years ago, this is exactly who I called in a similar situation. Worked out great. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 6:58 AM on May 10, 2015
You probably want a pro's advice. NOT tree trimmers (geez, no!) but an actual arborist.
Do you have a local botanical garden nearby? Call them. Someone on staff there with a university degree is probably available for private consultation.
10 years ago, this is exactly who I called in a similar situation. Worked out great. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 6:58 AM on May 10, 2015
We did it just the way you described. Cut the stems about five feet high from the ground and waited. It was ugly for a year, but I just reminded myself that it was better than a dead tree.
posted by raisingsand at 7:31 AM on May 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by raisingsand at 7:31 AM on May 10, 2015 [2 favorites]
I just did this! The house we bought had a thicket out back we've begun taming. In late fall/early winter, I went out and cut the ivy going up the tree - I took out the stems from ground level to 5-6' high. One stem was thicker than my arm - I had to use my B&D Alligator lopper on it. Over winter, the tree ivy died and the stems got brittle, so now it just flakes right off the tree.
I've started pulling out the dead stuff, and now that the tree's leaves have come in it's hard to see the dead ivy leaves near the core of the tree.
For making the tree look its best, I second the recommendation for an arborist to shape the tree.
posted by bookdragoness at 9:42 AM on May 10, 2015
I've started pulling out the dead stuff, and now that the tree's leaves have come in it's hard to see the dead ivy leaves near the core of the tree.
For making the tree look its best, I second the recommendation for an arborist to shape the tree.
posted by bookdragoness at 9:42 AM on May 10, 2015
I'm assuming it's English ivy, but it's the same for any other ivy: it does not hurt the tree to pull ivy off of it. It comes off of some trees easier than others, but you can either get a pro to take it off by climbing up and peeling it from the top down like a big banana peel, or you can cut it at the base (you may want to treat the cuts with concentrated herbicide so it doesn't just sprout back and grow up again) and it will die and eventually slough off. How long it takes depends on the diameter of the individual vines and how long they've been growing on there. Yes, it looks like crap for a while but it's better for the tree. Ivy is pretty bad on trees; it adds weight on limbs, surface area for ice or snow or wind forces, it can graft to itself and actually strangle smaller limbs, and it can hide serious defects.
posted by Red Loop at 10:11 AM on May 10, 2015
posted by Red Loop at 10:11 AM on May 10, 2015
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posted by pipeski at 2:31 AM on May 10, 2015 [1 favorite]