On 9/1/07 20:41, in article , "Des
Higgins" wrote:


"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message
...

In article ,
Eric L Drever writes:
| 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?

In general, the former. Until the ivy starts dominating the tree's
canopy, it may be ignored. It is also good for bees and other
wildlife, as well as useful for decoration.

Agreed; it provides places to live for birds and invertebrates and the
flowers and berries are valuable sources of food.

The only good reason I have heard for remvong it is the idea that it can
bring down a tree in a storm. I have heard that suggestion many times but
have also read that it simply does not happen in reality.

Happened down the road a few weeks ago.
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/