Does ivy damage trees?
Ivy uses trees for support but does not feed on the tree. Generally ,healthy trees will not allow ivy to become fully established. However, as trees age their crowns may begin to allow more light to penetrate. In such situations the extra light can stimulate growth in the ivy at the expense of the tree which subsequently declines. Ivy tends to establish itself in deciduous trees. These trees lose their leaves in winter, to lower their wind resistance. Because ivy is evergreen, it raises the wind resistance and increases its weight which means that the tree is more likely to suffer damage in stormy conditions. In addition, the presence of ivy can hinder tree inspections and may conceal serious defects in a tree. To remove ivy from the tree you will need to cut away a section about an inch in length further down to isolate the growth towards the top of the tree. This will then die back and fall away or can be pulled from the tree.
Ivy uses trees for support and will not usually become fully established in healthy trees. As trees age and their crowns thin, the additional light getting through can stimulate growth of the ivy and may cause the tree to decline. Ivy tends to become established in deciduous trees. As the trees lose their leaves, they also lower their wind resistance. The evergreen ivy creates wind resistance and added weight, which means that the tree is more likely to suffer damage in stormy conditions. Ivy can also get in the way of tree inspections, making them difficult and hiding serious problems in the tree. To remove ivy, cut away a section at least an inch in length low down, to isolate the growth towards the top of the tree. This will then die back and fall away, or can be pulled from the tree.
Ivy uses trees for support but does not feed on the tree. Generally healthy trees will not allow ivy to become fully established. However, as trees age their crowns may begin to allow more light to penetrate. In such situations the extra light can stimulate growth in the ivy at the expense of the tree which subsequently declines. Ivy tends to establish itself in deciduous trees. These trees lose their leaves in winter, to lower their wind resistance. But because ivy is evergreen, it raises the wind resistance and increases its weight which means that the tree is more likely to suffer damage in stormy conditions. In addition, the presence of ivy can hinder tree inspections and may conceal serious defects in a tree. To remove ivy from the tree you will need to cut away a section about an inch in length further down to isolate the growth towards the top of the tree. This will then die back and fall away or can be pulled from the tree.
