Entrenched Ivy on Mature ASH removal

[wyk]

I suppose I will have to try and start up higher in the trunk and work down.

[Mick Dempsey]

I used to de ivy trees like that, as you say, start at the top with a topper and a small pry bar, once you clear the crown and start on the trunk it gets easier, it comes off in large pieces, climbing spikes are useful to “kick out” stems of it.

 

Mornings work max.

[wyk]

I think I can use one of our teleporter buckets from the coop and start maybe 10 feet up in it. I somehow doubt this will be a morning job. It's all around the trunk, which is about 7 feet DBH or so.

 

Edited January 7, 2019 by wyk

[Mick Dempsey]

Meebees, it’s like wallpaper, start at the top and peel it off.

[wyk]

It's actually a bit better than you see in that pic since I have done a bit of pruning after it was taken. It has a very healthy canopy in spring. But I never was comfortable leaving all that ivy on it.

[Mark Bolam]

17 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

I used to de ivy trees like that, as you say, start at the top with a topper and a small pry bar, once you clear the crown and start on the trunk it gets easier, it comes off in large pieces, climbing spikes are useful to “kick out” stems of it.

 

Mornings work max.

Haha, and you thought the Picus comment was funny!

[carlos]

nice tree, worth trying to clear the ivy, id say patience and a nice light and sharp saw would do it.

i wouldn't try and remove the ivy as that would be an arse ache job, just try and cut it all

dont know much about herbecides but sounds a bit risky to me

Edited January 7, 2019 by carlos

[Mick Dempsey]

33 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

Haha, and you thought the Picus comment was funny!

Whaddya mean funny?

 

[sime42]

I find a small hand axe or hatchet is useful for stripping the rank ivy off. And a bill hook, (straight bladed), for really shaving off the smaller strands. Also useful for prying away from the trunk. It's normally quite soft when live in my experience, though I like edge tools to be razor sharp if possible.
I normally strip off about 12" all around the trunk to leave a completely clear band. I don't normally bother to remove the rest of it from above as it all dies off after a few months and it's a horrible job anyway. Just cut the band as high up the trunk as you need to avoid the buttresses.

[Mick Dempsey]

Of course veteran trees shouldn’t be felled just because of cavities etc. Concrete or even expanding foam can be used to good effect to help the tree remain standing.