The systemic herbicide triclopyr (e.g., Garlon) is absorbed into plant
tissues and carried to the roots, effectively killing the entire plant
in place.
Foliar applications: From summer to fall, apply a 2.5% mixture of
triclopyr amine (Garlon 3A) in water to the leaves or cut first, allow
to regrow, and apply the same mix to new foliage. Herbicide will also
be absorbed through the stem bark for additional effect.
Basal bark applications: A higher rate (15-30%) of triclopyr ester
(Garlon 4) may also be applied to stems of vines growing up trees but
there is a possibility that the herbicide will be absorbed into the
host tree, depending on the thickness of the host tree's bark and the
penetration of English ivy rootlets.
Because English ivy is an evergreen vine, and remains active during
the winter, herbicide applications can be made to it any time of year
as long as temperatures are above 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit for a
few days. Fall and winter applications will avoid or minimize impacts
to many native plant species. Repeat herbicidal treatments are likely
to be needed and followup monitoring should be conducted to evaluate
the success of treatments. Herbicidal contact with desirable plants
should always be avoided. In areas where spring wildflowers or other
native plants are interspersed, application of herbicides should be
conducted prior to their emergence, or delayed until they have died
back

Herbicide application
The waxy cuticle of H. helix allows the plant to have a high
resistance to herbicide uptake, thereby, creating great complication
during attempts to treat the plant (Morisawa, 1999; Derr, 1993).
Studies prove that H. helix is tolerant of preemergence herbicides
(Derr, 1993). Multiple applications of postemergence herbicides have
proven to be more effective though success varies according to the age
or maturity level of the plant (Derr, 1993). Herbicides absorption is
greater in newer shoots compared to older, more mature leaves (Derr,
1993). Round-up (glyphosate) applications of 3.0 kg/ha (2.7lb/Acre)
on younger plants proved most effective when applied during spring
months (Derr, 1993; Reichard, 2000). Application of Round-up
(glyphosate) on mature plants retarded growth up to 60% though proved
ineffective to completely destroy H. helix even with a higher
concentration, a second application, or use of a non-ionic surfactant
(Reichard, 2000; Derr, 1993)). Weedar 64 (2,4-d) applied at a rate of
1.1kg/ha (1lb/A) did control H. helix when applied twice (Derr, 1993).
In some of the treatment plots, however, ivy was reestablished after
two years from advances of adjacent populations that were untreated
(Reichard, 2000).



George Krall of the Bureau of Environmental Services in Portland,
Oregon (2000) also mentioned the combination technique of using Scythe
(pelargonic acid) with Round-up (glyphosate). Scythe is a
non-selective herbicide that effectively burns through the leaf
cuticle, killing active leaf tissue; it is appropriately named after
the Grim Reaper’s tool (Thomson, 1997; Gilman, 2000). It is assumed
that once the pelargonic acid has been applied, Round-up (glyphosate)
will be able to penetrate through the leaf cuticle more successfully
and then be absorbed by the plant through transpiration (Krall, 2000).
This method is being used in riparian zones, wetlands, and upland
forests throughout Portland.



There is speculation that the method of combining pelargonic acid and
glyphosate may not be very effective. Round-up (glyphosate), a
systemic herbicide, needs active tissues to enable transportation to
the roots of a plant for it to be effective (Gilman, 2000). Applying
Scythe (pelargonic acid) will destroy leaf tissue resulting in a
“reduced effect” of the Round-up (glyphosate). Gilman (2000)
suggested researching an alternative method of using Round-up
(glyphosate) with a controlled droplet application or electrostatic
sprayer. This treatment system would charge the ions of Round-up
(glyphosate) so that herbicides will more successfully adhere to
stomates on the underside of the plant, avoiding its waxy cuticle and
resulting in increased uptake (Gilman,2000). Studies have examined
this method and determined that it allows for a more accurate
application of herbicides and increased effectiveness (Gebhardt,
1984).




Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.
-- Aldo Leopold