IVY

[nepia]

44 minutes ago, sime42 said:

I don't get a skin reactions or anything but it does make me cough after cutting it for a while. Sometimes I can actually feel a slight pain in my chest, that's not nice at all. Not sure if it's the pollen or the dust causing it. I use a face dust mask now if I'm doing serious ivy work.

I reckon ivy is the third dustiest plant to put through the chipper after Viburnum rhytidophyllum and Buddleia.  You need  to ensure a following wind when feeding them in.

[Shane]

1 hour ago, nepia said:

I reckon ivy is the third dustiest plant to put through the chipper after Viburnum rhytidophyllum and Buddleia.  You need  to ensure a following wind when feeding them in.

Try london plane when its in leaf.

 

My own reasons to dislike ivy are....

It makes climbing much more difficult.

It means deciduous trees have a relatively huge sail area during winter storms.

It hides defects.

It makes the tree look awful.

 

Otherwise I love it.

As my old mate Kev. used to say 'If ever I meet a girl called Ivy, she will have to be bloody amazing to make up for that name'

 

 

[nepia]

7 minutes ago, Shane said:

Try london plane when its in leaf.

 

 

 

Yes, I've heard about that - it's the seedcases isn't it that produce the dust...?  I've very little experience of the species but that little has been in winter 

[essential]

It' is but the young leaf is worse

 

[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi]

2 hours ago, TIMON said:

One question I would like to ask is... does the sudden influx of light harm a tree once large amounts have been stripped? I.e sunburn etc.. ??

I suspect thinner barked species could get sunburn but I think your oaks would be fine Timon.

[Gary Prentice]

I wonder how common sunscorch actually is? Living up north, I’ve only ever seen it in literature and can’t remember any personal experience of it.

[Khriss]

Often after a good crown lift , in winter when bright low sunlight can strike thin-barked species , K

[ABtrees]

7 hours ago, sime42 said:

I don't get a skin reactions or anything but it does make me cough after cutting it for a while. Sometimes I can actually feel a slight pain in my chest, that's not nice at all. Not sure if it's the pollen or the dust causing it. I use a face dust mask now if I'm doing serious ivy work.

 

Hello all - I'm new to the site (though I've been reading anon for months!) - finally signed up as I have loads of questions and loads to learn ! 

Thought I would share my experience on this subject from last year.  I had a large amount of Ivy to clear and (without my trailer) decided to move it in the back of the Landy. Big mistake - I ended up with a fairly extreme case of English IVY poisoning - started by coughing, then a sore throat. The following morning I had lost my voice and couldn't swallow - v. painful - didn't eat for 3 days. Did a bit of research and 'allegedly' Ivy gives off chemicals (Falcarinol) when cut (not recommended for confined spaces or hot days - it was). 

 

I wondered, has anyone else had such an extreme response ?

 

I have another question on Ivy which I will post separately.

[sime42]

Welcome aboard ABtrees.
That sounds pretty horrendous, I didn't realise it could be that poisonous. I reckon I must have had a mild dose of that. I was lucky!

[bluebedouin]

17 hours ago, devon TWiG said:

Although I am probably one of the only people ever to have made and sold anything made from Ivy 

Makes a nice holder for my vodka optic.