why and how to get rid of it permanently?

What you need to know about ivy

From the Araliaceae family, ivy is a very vigorous plant with evergreen solid green or variegated cream foliage. In addition to being full of vigor, the ivy is very hardy and adapts to all soils, even the poorest, and all situations.

If ivy is very good at climbing vertical surfaces, it is because, when its vines are still young, they emit small, stiff, tight roots, called brush holdfasts, which allow them to cling to surfaces, which it is a wall, a tree, a post, etc., and to grow there. They can reach up to 15 meters long. This brief overview of ivy already gives you an overview of what can create problems over time.

Why get rid of ivy?

As we have seen, ivy is a plant that is traditionally used to quickly cover certain unsightly surfaces. But be careful, it can also be difficult to control and can cause various inconveniences. Here are the main ones:

1. Invasive plant, ivy grows quickly. If this growth is not controlled, you are heading for problems, but with growth control comes a high dose of maintenance.
2. Due to this vigorous development, ivy can also smother certain plants or monopolize resources such as light, water and nutrients by covering them.
3. Certainly, the brush-shaped claws of its vines allow it to cling to different supports, but they can damage the surface.
4. If the surface the ivy clings to has cracks, it may seep inside and cause damage while developing there. Likewise, it can damage the joints if the walls are in poor condition. On the other hand, you should know that if the surface is in good condition, it will not create cracks. It only infiltrates when a fault is present, but then it can amplify the problem.
5. We talked about the fact that, to control the growth of ivy, you have to maintain it. If this is not done, then he may grow up to the roof, slip under the tiles and lift them.
6. Like all plants, it offers a refuge for certain animals. Which can end up becoming annoying, especially if your ivy is against the wall of your home, depending on the animals that take up residence there.
7. Ivy is a plant that grows very easily, too easily! The slightest section left on the ground can give rise to a new plant. So, be carefuleliminate them as much as possible !

Getting rid of ivy on a wall

If you want to remove ivy from a wall, it is necessary to act with great care to limit damage to the structure.

You can follow the following steps to get rid of ivy naturally:

1. First of all, it is necessary to equip yourself with protection : opt for clothing that covers well to protect yourself from insects that may have taken up residence in the ivy. Wear protective glasses and gardening gloves.
2. Once equipped, proceed to water the ivy to soften it. This step is not necessary if it has rained the previous days and the ivy is still wet. Thus softened, the plant will be easier to remove.
3. Locate the base of the ivy in order to cut its trunk at ground level and at the base of the wall. To do this, you can use pruning shears, a saw or a chainsaw. Thanks to this cut, you will deprive the plant of its water and nutrient supplies. In short, you will starve and thirst it.
4. It is then possible to wait for the ivy to dry, leaving it there. Alternatively, you can pull the ivy from the surface by pulling on it and cutting the vines as you go. Always pull with moderation so as not to tear off the plaster at the same time.
5. You then need to tackle the roots to dig them out of the ground. To do this, you can use a pickaxe or spade. It is then important to remove all the pieces of roots to prevent the ivy from starting again.
6. It is possible that pieces of ivy remain on the surface you have vacated. You will have to be patient to eliminate them all. If you are very patient, you can do it by hand, which is the least aggressive for the surface, but you can also use a wire brush. If you decide to go with this solution, do a test first to make sure you don’t damage the wall. On plaster, the studs are very difficult to remove completely.
7. Once your ivy has been removed, be sure to monitor the area closely for any possible regrowth.. As soon as new shoots appear, remove them immediately.
8. Check the condition of the wall and carry out any repairs.

Eliminate ivy on the ground

On the ground, ivy quickly invades large areas, preventing other plants from growing. To eliminate it, you can do the following:

1. As for the operation described previously, equip yourself correctly to avoid any accident: opt for protective clothing, gloves and protective glasses.
2. When you are equipped, you can begin to pull out the ivy. Use pruning shears to cut sections as needed.
3. To avoid recovery, be sure to pull out as many roots as possible. You can dig them up with a pickaxe, spade or pitchfork.
4. Once the area is cleaned, carry out regular monitoring. When ivy reappears, pull it out quickly.
5. Also carry out plantings. Indeed, when an area is left empty, various unwanted plants take over and develop there. An interesting solution is to plant ground covers of your choice and adapted to the situation.

An alternative to the solution proposed above is to cover the area with a thick, opaque tarpaulin so as to deprive the ivy of light and air. It should then wither away. This solution can be useful in areas that are more difficult to access. Be careful to secure it well to prevent it from flying away.

Getting rid of ivy on a tree or plant

Beyond climbing walls, ivy can also climb plant surfaces, such as the trunks of trees, shrubs, rose bushes, etc. It may then be necessary to remove it to prevent it from causing harm. for optimal development of the plant concerned. To do this, you can follow the following steps:

1. As explained previously, first of all, equip yourself with covering clothing, gloves and protective glasses.
2. Examine the tree or plant to determine where the base of the ivy is and what will be the most effective way to remove it.
3. If the base of the ivy forms a trunkcut it at ground level.
4. Remove the vines surrounding the tree, cutting them as you go. If you risk damaging your tree by pulling out certain vines, leave them in place. To the extent that they are separated from the roots, they will eventually dry out and die. You can then remove them easily, without traumatizing your tree.
5. To eliminate as many roots as possible, use a pickaxe or a spade, depending on where they are located.
6. Thereafter, do not rest on your laurels, but keep a close eye on the ground at the base of your tree so as to tear out the ivy regrowths as you go.