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Sacha[_1_] · 09-01-2007, 06:38 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 9/1/07 17:41, in article , "Eric L
Drever" wrote:

I have just acquired a garden with some big, established trees. They
have a lot of ivy growing up them. I have asked friends whether I
should leave this or remove it, and so far have had two responses:

1 Ivy isn't a parasite and doesn't do the trees any harm, so leave it.

2 Ivy may not be a parasite but the weight of it is bad for the trees,
and it isn't doing them any good, so get rid of it.

My friends are now hardly on speaking terms. Who is right?

AFAIK, it doesn't do the trees any harm but in big gales, such as we are
having now, the windage of the ivy on a leafless tree will still act as a
sail and might bring the tree down. Personally, I'd be rid of it on most
trees and perhaps leave it on one or two that are more sheltered or about
which you're less concerned.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/