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#48969
May 21st, 2007 at 12:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 114
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Hello everyone I have ivy growing up the front of my house and want to remove it as I think that, in time, it will probably damage the brickwork. Its tough, thick and been around for years (come to think of it, a bit like me really!). What is the best plan of action? Is it best to cut away at the bottom and leave the rest to die before taking it down? How do I kill off the roots?
Last edited by starfish; May 21st, 2007 at 12:35 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,477
Deep Purple
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Deep Purple
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,477 |
regardless of whether you cut the bottom and let the top part die off before removing it from the brick, it's still going to be a job...it WILL probably be easier if you cut and let the top part die first tho.
be careful when pulling the suckers off the brick and out of the mortar...the more careful you are the less damage that will be done. if the ivy is very long established you may have to get the brick repointed.
as for roots in the soil - ivy sends out roots as well as roots from whatever is touching the soil, so removing the roots may take another year to completely accomplish.
moisten the soil beforehand as that makes pulling the roots up a bit easier. start off with a small trowel and dig into a section. gently bring it up and look for the leader/spreader - gently pull on it so that you bring it up...moving along the length of it so that you don't break it. you may find that some of these spreaders are many feet long. it's important to get every bit of it tho as ivy is very hardy and will send up more shoots from whatever bits of the root system are left behind.
Zone 6b
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 114
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joclyn - ta very much for the very useful advice. I have been putting this off for the last couple of years, as I knew it wasnt going to be easy, but will start this weekend, weather permitting!
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,477
Deep Purple
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Deep Purple
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,477 |
you're quite welcome!!
it's certainly something that can be done...time-consuming as it might be...just take your time and get all the roots up and you'll be ready to put the new stuff in soon enough!
Zone 6b
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 114
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... having done some preliminary scouting, i find a robin's nest with three little birdies, so i may have to defer this project for a week or two!
Last edited by starfish; May 23rd, 2007 at 10:48 AM. Reason: spelling!
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