Ivy can quickly take over your plants if left unchecked. It is a surprisingly strong vine that damages even large trees by wrapping itself around their trunk or limbs. Ivy can also displace water, which will cause rot to form at the base of the tree.
The leaves and stems of this plant grow rapidly and intertwine with other plants and tree bark, making it difficult to remove. It also tends to spread by rooting its stems into the soil around the tree. If you have ivy growing on your trees, you must kill it before it takes over your yard. Here are some of the common effective methods to kill ivy on a tree.
Hand Pruning
Hand pruning is a great option for deadheading your ivy. This is the most time-consuming method of killing ivy, but you can make it faster by using sharp pruning shears. Wear gloves and hold the vine close to its base so you can quickly sever it. With this method, there will also be less debris and less chance of harming your tree’s roots. However, keep in mind that this method may not work on trees with big trunks or especially thick ivy.
Step 1: Cut the vines off at ground level if they have not already grown over the tree. This will ensure that you do not leave any roots behind that might sprout again later.
Step 2: Use sharp pruning shears or loppers to cut through any remaining vines near the base of the tree trunk or in other areas where you see growth. Remove any broken or damaged pieces with hand pruners or hand pulling them off.
Step 3: Remove any dead wood from around the tree’s base by cutting off dead branches with a saw or lopper and pulling out any dead limbs with your hands if necessary. This will help prevent diseases from spreading into healthy parts of your tree if there are any cracks or holes in its bark where insects can enter and damage its vascular system.
You’ll have to do this several times until all ivy signs have been killed off completely from your tree. Remember to wear gloves and protective eyewear and long pants and sleeves to avoid getting scratched by any thorns or spines on the plant.
The downside of hand-pruning is that it’s very labor-intensive. The upside is that it’s cheap and easy to do. You can do this yourself or ask a friend or neighbor for help. The sooner you get started, the better your chances of removing all the ivy from your trees or shrubs.
Use Chemicals
One of the most effective ways to kill ivy on a tree is chemicals. You can purchase chemicals at any hardware store or garden center. Several sprays and powders will kill off the ivy from your tree. The chemicals will work to kill off the ivy’s roots and its leaves and stems.
Before applying your chemical, read the label carefully and follow all directions. This is especially important if you have children or pets that could contact the plant that’s being treated because they could be harmed if they eat it or touch it after being sprayed with the chemical.
Ensure to also pick a day with a good forecast so that the chemical treatment goes well. The temperature must be between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the topical medicines used to kill poison ivy to be effective. Additionally, choose a day with little wind so that no chemicals are blown onto the surrounding landscaping or gardens. Spray until all parts of the ivy are thoroughly wetted down, but do not allow runoff into nearby water sources.
When using these products, always wear protective clothing such as goggles and gloves so that no one gets hurt by coming into contact with these chemicals directly on their skin or eyes when using them around plants or lawn areas.
Use Vinegar
To keep ivy from invading your yard, killing it early in the season is the best thing to do before it gets out of hand. Vinegar is a safe, non-toxic, and inexpensive method of killing ivy. It kills the ivy plant’s roots and prevents new growth from occurring.
Step 1: Apply white, or cider vinegar to the ivy leaves with a spray bottle or hose attachment. This will kill the plant without harming the tree or other nearby plants.
Step 2: Spray the leaves and stems of the ivy plant with the solution until they are completely covered. You can also pour it directly onto the ground around the tree’s base if large ivy patches grow there.
Step 3: Apply a generous amount of vinegar to any areas infested with ivy. Use caution while spraying vinegar, as it is non-selective and can harm desired grasses and plants in addition to the ivy. Spray the ivy as much as possible to get the most out of the treatment.
Step 4: Watch for ivy infestations after a week. When the ivy dies, the leaves and tendrils become brown. Throw away any dead ivy that has fallen on your property. If ivy is still green or if there are green spots among the dead ivy, spray the ivy with white vinegar once more. Repeat vinegar treatments as required until all ivy has been eradicated.
Mulch Your Trees
Mulching your trees with wood chips or pine needles will help prevent new vines from growing up through them. This method doesn’t kill off existing vines but prevents new ones from forming over time. If you don’t want to spend money on mulch bags or pine needles, try collecting some in your backyard by raking up fallen leaves in autumn and laying them down under your trees’ trunks for insulation.
However, if you use mulch around your trees, ensure that it doesn’t touch its trunk. Ivy roots may grow up through the mulch and into the tree’s bark, causing damage and providing food for insects like aphids and spider mites.
Bottom Line
Once it’s clear that the ivy is taking over your tree, it needs to go, lest it spread throughout your yard. If left unchecked, ivy can get thick and black as it chokes out anything in its way. These guidelines are all you need to get rid of that nasty plant without hurting yourself and the tree. It’s not an easy task and will be frustrating at times, but if you’re determined to reclaim your yard, these tips should help you succeed. Remember, the smaller it is and the fewer roots it has made, the easier it will be!