There’s a misconception among homeowners that ivy growing around the trunk of a tree will be catastrophic to its health. While there are occasions when this is likely to be the case, most often than not ivy has little if any detrimental effect on the condition of a tree and the two species can happily co-exist without damaging one another.

So what is Ivy and why are we so fearful of it harming our trees? Ivy is a woody, evergreen climbing plant which can grow quite rapidly from ground level into a tree canopy. The species usually has five-pointed shiny green leaves and forms dense leafy cover where it grows on the ground and sprouts yellowish green flowers when it rises up to a tree’s canopy. Many a tree surgeon has been called to a property to be told ivy is ‘strangling’ a tree trunk. The truth is, where ivy is growing on a trunk this in itself is not damaging and in most cases can be left alone. Sometimes ivy will grow within the cracks of older trees or those which have suffered damaged. This could possibly affect the stability of the tree over time by adding extra weight and in these circumstances it’s advisable to seek the support and experience of a qualified tree surgeon.

Often people consider controlling ivy for aesthetic purposes, particularly if they are growing birch and some Acer varieties where the stem or trunk is a focal part of its beauty.

Although the word ‘infestation’ is commonly used in discussions about ivy, the plant is not a parasite and will not usually compete with trees for water or the rich nutrients in the soil. It’s actually very competent at acquiring water and nutrients through its underground roots.

Often mistakenly painted as the evergreen to fear, ivy in fact brings considerable benefits to the eco-system by providing insects, birds and forest animals a place to nest or hibernate in the winter months. When it grows at ground level, its thick dense leaves protect the woodland floor from frost providing wildlife with a plentiful supply of food.

If you’re concerned about the presence of ivy and its impact on your tree life, consult an expert before undertaking the work independently. Where control of ivy is necessary, a tree surgeon will cut stems to the ground and dig out the woody roots. Frequent stem cutting can weaken the ivy but it is not a permanent solution as it won’t kill it. Where ivy is growing on a tree trunk it can be controlled chemically by cutting the stem close to soil level and treating the stump with a rootkiller.