Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Remove ivy from trees
• Method 2 of 2: Let ivy die to the ground
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

An ivy may be pleasing to the eye, but it can also do an awful lot of damage if it quietly makes its way past trees and buildings. The tiny "adhesive roots" that allow ivy to adhere to vertical surfaces look a bit like suction cups, and are strong enough to pull bark off trees and paint off walls. If you want to remove ivy without causing damage, prune, roll back, and cover the stems with bedding so it can no longer take root. To learn how to get rid of unwanted ivy, go to Step 1.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Remove ivy from trees

1. Gather your things. Sharp pruning shears or loppers are the most important tools to remove ivy. Whether you should choose pruning or loppers depends on the thickness of the stems. Older stems can grow as thick as an arm, but newer stems are usually no thicker than the stem of a flower. In addition to the right pruning tools, you also need a pair of thick gardening gloves. You will need these to protect your hands when pulling back the ivy.
2. Prune the stems at the base of the tree. Walk around the tree and prune each stem one by one - cut the stems that are at ankle height. It is important to include all the stems, as even one remaining stem can provide the ivy with enough nutrition to continue growing.
   • You can use a handsaw for very old, thick stems.
   • Be careful not to cut into the tree itself. The ivy makes the tree weaker, making the tree more susceptible to disease. Cutting through the bark can cause additional damage.
3. Prune another circle of stems - this time at shoulder height. Use the same technique to cut all the stems. This time, carefully pull the pruned pieces of the stems off the tree. Making two cuts and pulling away the piece of ivy at the bottom of the tree will prevent the higher parts of the plant from getting the nutrients they need. As a result, the plant will die. Stack the cut pieces and cover them later to prevent them from taking root again.
   • Be careful when pulling the pruned stems off the tree. If you pull too hard, you will pull too much bark along with the adhesive roots.
   • This method is also suitable for removing ivy from exterior walls.
4. Check the tree trunk for unpruned stems. Take a good look at the tree to make sure you haven't skipped any stems. Prune and remove any stems you come across, being careful not to damage the bark.
5. Prune the ivy to the ground. If the tree is surrounded by ivy at the bottom, remove that ivy to prevent it from growing back up against the tree. Removing this donut-shaped mat around the tree is sometimes referred to as a "lifesaver cut". That's how you do that:
   • Cut the ivy on the ground first, from the tree trunk to about five feet away. Cut the ivy several times in the same way. Dividing the ivy into pieces will make it easier to remove.
   • Prune a line connecting all previously set lines. Make sure this line is five feet away from the tree trunk.
   • Start pulling the ivy mat away piece by piece. Keep pulling the ivy away until no more ivy is visible within five feet of the tree trunk.
6. Wait for the ivy to die. Now that you have freed the base of the tree, the ivy that is higher than shoulder height will begin to die. The plant will begin to shrivel first and will turn brown. Do not try to pull or prune stems growing above shoulder height. If you tear away the adhesive roots, you will damage the bark - making the tree more susceptible to disease. The dead ivy will look rather unattractive at first, but eventually the leaves will come off and it will be less noticeable.
7. Monitor the area to see if new ivy is growing. Once you have taken all measures, check every few weeks to make sure the ivy has not started growing again. Prune the ivy if it is still growing near the tree.

Method 2 of 2: Let ivy die to the ground

1. Cut the ivy into pieces. Divide the ivy on the ground into large pieces. This will make it easier to remove the ivy from the ground. Pull the pieces apart as you prune. Use caution when working near plants and trees that you want to keep.
   • If you're working on a hill, draw vertical lines from the top of the hill to the bottom - this will allow you to create sections that you can roll down.
2. Roll the sections off the ground. Lift the edge of a piece of ivy and roll it forward. Keep rolling the ivy forward until the entire section has become a large roll of ivy. Take this roll to a secluded area, and keep rolling up the other pieces until you've cleared the area completely.
   • The best way to remove the ivy rolls is to throw bedding over them to prevent them from taking root.
3. Use weed killers as an alternative. It is very difficult to get rid of ivy with weed killers. The plants contain a waxy barrier that the exterminators can hardly penetrate. It is therefore more effective to combine manual work with weed killers. Glyphosate is the chemical most capable of killing ivy.
   • Spray the ivy you want to remove with the exterminator, but be careful. Do not spray the glyphosate on the plants you want to keep.
   • Weed killers are slow to act and should be reapplied approximately every six weeks.
4. Use bedding to tame the ivy you want to keep. If there is a patch of ivy you want to keep, but don't want it spreading, you can use bedding to do that. Cover the ivy with about eight inches of bedding (for example, you can opt for wood chips). You will have to give this method some time; leave the ground cover on the ivy for at least two seasons. You may need to add new bedding during the season.

Tips

• Always wear gloves and long sleeves. This way you can protect your arms and hands when pruning or pulling away the ivy.

Warnings

• Be extra careful when trying to pull or prune ivy from trees. If you are not careful you can damage the bark and expose the tree to all kinds of pests and pests that could damage or kill the tree.
• Don't throw your pruned ivy on the compost pile. If you do, the ivy will likely start growing again and will spread to the areas where you use the compost.
• Wear goggles to protect your eyes from rubbish, cut pieces, twigs, etc.

Necessities

• Pruning shears
• Safety glasses
• Garden gloves
• A spade
• A rake
• Ground cover
• Weed killer