Can Climbing Ivy Kill My Tree?

Climbing ivy doesn’t damage or kill trees, and its presence doesn’t signify that a tree is unhealthy or create a tree safety issue in its own right.

Should ivy be removed from trees?
One of the biggest insinuations is that ivy may conceal structural problems or defeats in a tree. In some cases, ivy might have to be removed to let a safety assessment happen.

The growth of ivy is regulated by the healthy crowns of trees which control the amount of sunlight getting to the ivy leaves. When ivy grows on trees, it takes on a mature flowering form and stops climbing before it gets to the tree’s crown.

Manage ivy on trees
If ivy is continually stripped or cut, it stops the plant from maturing; developing flowers and fruits is decreased.

The wildlife benefits of ivy are enormous. The berries and pollen are vital sources of food for numerous birds and insects. Ivy offers shelter for bats, small mammals, and invertebrates. When managing ivy, its importance to these animals must be taken into consideration.

Most businesses that specialize in tree services have some regulations when it comes to managing or cutting down ivy. Even though ivy doesn’t kill a tree, the subsequent actions after the ivy have begun to grow can. By competing for water, sunlight, and nutrients, a tree with ivy becomes weaker and more susceptible to branch dieback and disease. Ivy brings more moisture to the bark of a tree which entices bugs and increases tree decay.

Climbing ivy grows from the ground up. So, branch dieback is typically evident at the base of the tree. This can make your tree look like a broccoli stalk with a head at the top of the tree. The unevenness in limbs, along with the additional weight of the ivy at the top of the tree, makes a tree more predisposed to coming down during adverse weather.

If you decide to cut the ivy off your tree, you should know that this isn’t a DIY tree job. Make an appointment with a Buffalo tree service company to do it for you since it has the tools and equipment to get rid of the ivy, including at the top of your tree.

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