Overgrown with ivy? You’re not alone! This aesthetically pleasing plant can quickly become uncontrollable, climbing everywhere: walls, fences, and trees. You’ve probably tried to manually control it or even used hedge trimmers, but nothing seems to work. What if you simply adopted a quick and targeted approach at the ivy’s base?

Why is ivy so tough?

Before discovering how to effectively remove it, do you know the reasons for its resilience? Ivy (scientifically known as Hedera helix) has an incredible ability to quickly invade everything in its path. Its small adventitious roots easily attach to various surfaces: your house wall, the back fence, or even the old apple tree in your garden.

Thanks to its evergreen leaves, ivy efficiently blocks sunlight, preventing other plants from breathing properly. Once established on a tree, it can weigh heavily on the branches and seriously weaken the bark.

However, its main strength lies in the resilience of its deep roots. Even when cut, the plant continues to grow as long as the roots remain in the ground. So how can you effectively win this battle?

Simple and effective strategy to remove ivy

There’s no need to exhaust yourself pulling it out from the surface or height. The solution is much quicker and more effective. Here’s how to proceed:

  • Identify the main stems of your ivy right at the ground level.
  • Using an appropriate tool like a strong pruner or a pruning saw, cut each stem cleanly about 10-15 cm above the ground.
  • Immediately remove the remaining pieces of the cut stems from the base to prevent rapid regrowth.
  • Let the foliage and the upper stems dry out.

This strategic action halts the nutrient reserves of the aerial foliage. Within just a few weeks, you’ll notice that the now brittle and dry stems detach easily without excessive effort.

See? No need to spend long hours removing leaf by leaf or branch by branch. Just a few well-placed minutes.

After cutting: how to easily remove the roots?

A few weeks after this first action, you can tackle the remaining roots without much effort. Equipped with a simple spade or garden cultivator, gently dig around the collar (base of the previously cut stems).

You will quickly notice several benefits:

  • Shallow roots come out easily.
  • With the plant weakened, there’s virtually no regrowth.
  • You reduce the chances of new unwanted plants appearing.

Even if some very deep roots persist, their potential for regrowth is eliminated due to the absence of a living aerial part. A monthly check is sufficient to ensure there are no new young shoots.

Common mistakes to avoid at all costs

When facing ivy in your garden, absolutely avoid these ineffective and counterproductive actions:

  • Only cutting the upper parts or the leaves promotes vigorous regrowth from the base.
  • Pulling directly on the green branches still attached to the wall can damage your façade or detach the render.
  • Using chemical herbicides will harm local wildlife and will only be temporarily effective.

What to do with ivy on a tree?

Do you have an old oak or a beautiful maple covered in ivy? Don’t panic! The method remains the same, with just a small variation: cut about 30 cm above the ground without damaging the bark of your tree.

Then wait a few weeks for the vines to dry naturally. The result? The dry stems will gradually detach on their own without causing any stress to your tree.

Do note that this drying process can extend over several months, especially if the tree is already old or vulnerable.

How to prevent ivy from reappearing definitively?

Even if you apply this strategic action, ivy may still poke its leaves through forgotten seeds or root fragments. Anticipate these issues with a few simple preventive measures:

  • Use physical protection like a border or geotextile fabric around the affected area.
  • Encourage the planting of dense ground cover plants with fast growth, such as creeping thyme, periwinkle, or even perennial geraniums to prevent ivy from re-establishing.
  • Regularly monitor for young shoots in the spring by lightly weeding the soil.

Have you tried this method? Do you have additional tips for effectively controlling ivy to share with readers? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below! Your experience will certainly help many other gardening enthusiasts. So, tell us everything!