|
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
Hello,
I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. Thanks, Kirk |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
It is no more a parasite than is English ivy.
It is using the tree for support. If your fig is a strangler fig, that's another story!!! "GreenG" wrote in message .. . Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. Thanks, Kirk |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
GreenG wrote:
Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
You believe wrong.
"Creeping fig" is Ficus pumila and "Strangler fig' is Ficus aurea, two very very different species that do not closely resemble each other at all. Neither are parasitic. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
Nevertheless, creeping fig can still damage trees and structures
and needs to be controlled no less than strangler fig. Cereus-validus wrote: You believe wrong. "Creeping fig" is Ficus pumila and "Strangler fig' is Ficus aurea, two very very different species that do not closely resemble each other at all. Neither are parasitic. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
Sorry Babe, but as destructive as you may think little Ficus pumila may be,
the Strangler Fig is far worse than you can imagine. Be thankful that you will never encounter it in your little garden. "David Ross" wrote in message ... Nevertheless, creeping fig can still damage trees and structures and needs to be controlled no less than strangler fig. Cereus-validus wrote: You believe wrong. "Creeping fig" is Ficus pumila and "Strangler fig' is Ficus aurea, two very very different species that do not closely resemble each other at all. Neither are parasitic. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
Sorry Babe, but as destructive as you may think little Ficus pumila may be,
the Strangler Fig is far worse than you can imagine. Be thankful that you will never encounter it in your little garden. "David Ross" wrote in message ... Nevertheless, creeping fig can still damage trees and structures and needs to be controlled no less than strangler fig. Cereus-validus wrote: You believe wrong. "Creeping fig" is Ficus pumila and "Strangler fig' is Ficus aurea, two very very different species that do not closely resemble each other at all. Neither are parasitic. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
So how do I kill it in the tree. It is too high for me to reach. I tried
cutting it at the base, but that had no effect, unless I missed a stem somewhere. How is it staying alive. It looks like it is rooted in the tree. I was going to have the tree cut down, but at the last minute I decided to keep it. I wonder if that was a mistake. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
So how do I kill it in the tree. It is too high for me to reach. I tried
cutting it at the base, but that had no effect, unless I missed a stem somewhere. How is it staying alive. It looks like it is rooted in the tree. I was going to have the tree cut down, but at the last minute I decided to keep it. I wonder if that was a mistake. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
Creeping fig vine parasitic?
This is GreenG
"Kirk" wrote in message ... So how do I kill it in the tree. It is too high for me to reach. I tried cutting it at the base, but that had no effect, unless I missed a stem somewhere. How is it staying alive. It looks like it is rooted in the tree. I was going to have the tree cut down, but at the last minute I decided to keep it. I wonder if that was a mistake. "David Ross" wrote in message ... GreenG wrote: Hello, I have a creeping fig vine that is a little out of control in my back garden. It is choking a shade tree, robbing it of sunlight. The vine is very vigorous and the tree is having a hard time keeping up. It's a real job keeping it off the house and pavement as well. I tried to kill it by cutting the vine near the base, but that had no effect. Is this vine parasitic, living off of its host? It seems well attached to the tree, so I don't think it will be easy to control or get rid of. Any suggestions? I live in Northern Florida, USA. I believe 'creeping fig' and 'strangler fig' are just two different names for Ficus pumila. This is not a parasite. However, as the plant matures, it can be quite destructive, damaging walls and buildings and impairing the growth of even vigorous trees. Even the roots are invasive. If you want to keep it, cut it down to the ground every few years. The immature new growth is far less problematical than mature growth. Once a stem comes out that appears it will flower (not conspicuous) and fruit (large), you are in trouble. If you want to eliminate it, cut it down and then treat the new growth with an herbicide (e.g., Roundup). Mix the herbicide slightly less strong than indicated on the label to ensure it translocates to the widespread roots before the top growth dies. Otherwise, root suckers may become a problem. Repeated doses of herbicide might still be required. -- David E. Ross http://www.rossde.com/ I use Mozilla as my Web browser because I want a browser that complies with Web standards. See http://www.mozilla.org/. |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:02 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
GardenBanter