On 20/03/2012 14:04, Diamond wrote:

I am now sure it is Virginia Creeper as in the autumn it did have the
most beautiful bright red leaves. Stunning, which is why I am so upset
the plant appears to have died.

However, I still have the problem that this has spread a very long way
across the wall in width and the stems/branches are totally stuck like
glue to the bricks. Not sure how I will get them off.

Thanks for any further advice.

My neighbour had a Virginia Creeper which was about 25 years old. It
went right round the house and came back to the front where it
intertwined with itself! A few years ago he decided to remove it, and
although it took several days, he finally got it off. I can't remember
if he used anything special, but it seems to me that an old wallpaper
scraper might help to get the plant of the wall, cutting through any of
the clinging roots without damaging the bricks and mortar.

--

Jeff