Introduction:

English Ivy (Hedera helix) is an evergreen vine renowned for its hardiness, quick growth, and alluring greenery. While these traits may initially appeal to many gardeners, the unchecked growth of English Ivy can prove to be a significant problem for your garden and surrounding ecosystem. Here, we delve into the reasons why it's crucial to remove English Ivy from your garden.

1. Damage to Trees and Shrubs:

One of the most apparent risks of English Ivy lies in its impact on trees and shrubs. When allowed to grow freely, this invasive vine can envelop entire trees and shrubs, depriving them of sunlight and hindering photosynthesis - the process by which plants convert sunlight into the energy they need for growth. Moreover, its dense coverage competes for water and soil nutrients, which can weaken the host plants and make them more susceptible to diseases and pests.

2. Creation of "Ivy Deserts":

English Ivy is a fast-growing, hardy plant that can rapidly overtake other plant life in your garden, creating what's often referred to as an "ivy desert." This single-species dominance significantly decreases biodiversity, which can have ripple effects on the local ecosystem, including impacts on insects, birds, and other wildlife that depend on a variety of plant species for survival.

3. Structural Damage:

English Ivy is not just a threat to the plant life in your garden. Its robust and invasive growth can cause structural damage to fences, walls, and other garden structures. The ivy’s tendrils burrow into any cracks or crevices, and as they grow, they can widen these gaps, leading to increased wear and eventual degradation of these structures.

4. Harbor for Pests:

The thick, lush growth of English Ivy provides an ideal habitat for several pests, including rats, mice, and a variety of insects. These pests can damage your garden and even find their way into your home. In addition, the ivy can hide harmful pests such as ticks, increasing the risk of tick-borne diseases.

5. Negative Impact on Native Species:

In many regions, especially North America, English Ivy is an alien species. Its aggressive growth can outcompete native plants, altering the local habitat and threatening the survival of native plant and animal species.

6. Hindrance to Garden Maintenance:

A garden overrun by English Ivy can be challenging to maintain. The ivy’s rapid growth and resilience make it difficult to control, often necessitating continuous efforts to prevent it from choking out other plants. The presence of English Ivy can also make it harder to spot and address other issues in your garden, such as diseases or pest infestations.

Removal and Management:

Removing English Ivy from your garden may be a laborious task, but it’s well worth the effort. Manual removal is often the most effective method. Post removal, it’s critical to monitor the area for regrowth, as English Ivy can often regenerate from small fragments of roots or stems left behind.

Conclusion:

While English Ivy might seem like an attractive, low-maintenance choice for gardeners, the long-term impacts of its unchecked growth can far outweigh its initial appeal. From damaging trees and shrubs to creating habitats for pests, promoting a loss of biodiversity, and posing threats to structures and native species, the reasons for removing English Ivy from your garden are numerous and compelling. Therefore, garden management that includes the control or removal of English Ivy is crucial for maintaining a healthy, vibrant, and biodiverse garden ecosystem.

Permanently Removing English Ivy

We remove all the above ground vines and ivy material with powered cutters, the cut material is cleaned up and hauled away. We then remove the ivy stumps and root material.

When necessary, we employ eco-friendly treatments to eradicate ivy. This involves cutting the plant down to the stump, then precisely treating the small new leaves that sprout. Following the treatment the root system will die. Our treatment will not kill other plants and has no soil activity or run off.

Ascent Yard Care has permanently removed hundreds of ivy infestations since our business was founded in 2017.

English Ivy removal cost

Contact us for a free in-person quote in Victoria, BC and Jake will provide an exact work order and pricing. We care intensely about the success of each project.

Won’t the ivy just grow back?

In the worst infestations up to 2 follow up visits may be necessary to completely eradicate re-growth. Most ivy infestations we service are completely and permanently removed in one visit.

Expert Help:

Contact us for a free quote. We care intensely about the successful eradication of ivy.