There are beautiful trees in our three cemeteries some of which are over 120 years old. These trees have had no maintenance or trimming during their lifetime and it is starting to show. Years of neglect have allowed this invasive English Ivy to overtake some of these beautiful trees.
In an effort to protect the health of these trees we have begun destroying the English Ivy which has killed a few trees and threatens others.
Additional efforts are aimed at digging up all of the ivy roots so that it doesn’t return.
Some Reasons to remove English from Trees:
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Trees and ivy rely on the same supply of water and nutrients. Because ivy can be more aggressive, there’s a chance the tree isn’t getting its fair share of nutrition.
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Ivy growth crowds tree branches, blocking sunlight trees need to make food.
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Vines can weigh a tree branch down, putting it at a higher risk of breaking in a storm.
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Over time, an ivy invasion weakens a tree, making it a target for opportunistic pests.
Battling English Ivy
This tree in completely taken over by the Ivy. I am afraid this one may be too far gone.
Dying vines that have been cut near the base of the tree.
Photo taken once we began cutting the vines at the base of this 120 yr old oak tree. The photo below was taken after vines have begun to die.
The tree is not dying that is the ivy that is brown now that the vines have been severed. The estimated weight of the ivy was over 1,000 pounds on this large live oak tree. This is a little unsightly for now but we don’t want to pull on the ivy and damage the bark of the tree. We will allow the ivy to die and fall off. This tree will be beautiful by next spring.