Why You Should Remove Ivy From Your Trees

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Why You Should Remove Ivy From Your Trees

The trees in your yard are a large part of your landscape design, and nothing builds a more natural and romantic aesthetic than ivy-covered boughs in your yard. However, ivy plants that have grown on the sides of your trees can be a major concern for a variety of different reasons, and can actually be considered a weed. Understanding the risks that ivy can pose to your trees can help you decide if you need to call a tree specialist to have it removed.

Food and Water Competition

The main, and often the most noticeable, concern of ivy growth on your trees is the fact that the ivy will act as competition with the tree for nearby water and nutrients. If allowed to grow enough, ivy can actually start to cover up the leaves of your trees, preventing them from receiving any sunlight as well. This will lead to a significant stunting of growth, which can also create serious health concerns for your trees. If the ivy plant is large enough, it can actually starve your tree to death and then begin to break it down for additional nutrients.

Damaged Limbs

Beyond stunting the growth of your trees, ivy can also cause severe structural damage to the limbs and branches. This is because of the physical stress that ivy vines will have on the tree, often slowly gouging into the bark and adding a significant amount of weight to the tree as the ivy grows and flourishes. This can make limbs falling off during a storm much more likely, which can be a serious safety concern. It's also important to note that damage to the bark of your trees can allow for rot and other diseases to more easily enter and infect your tree.

Pest Infestations

Another major reason why you should consider having the ivy growing on your trees removed is the fact that its presence can make a pest infestation much more likely. This is because the ivy itself provides a good environment for certain insects to take up residence, but also because a weakened tree, with damaged bark, can allow pests to burrow into the tree itself. Obscured by the ivy, it can be hard to notice such a pest problem until it is already well established, at which point it is likely to spread to other plants and trees in your garden – which can be both expensive and complicated to have fixed.  

Reach out to a business like Cutter Up for more help.



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About Me

Tropical Truths: Tips For Creating Vibrant Landscapes Growing up in a tropical area, I saw a lot of green, vibrant plants and all kinds of tropical fruits. It led me to develop a real interest in creating backyard tropical fruit gardens and landscapes that really spoke to the warm weather and the tropical climate. I did a lot of research and talked with a few landscapers to find out the tips and tricks to getting things to grow and thrive. I created this site to help share what I have learned with others who want to create the same kind of tropical getaway in their own backyards.

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