spraying ivy in hedges

[Craig Johnson]

any ideas what to use?

[Beardie]

Why exactly do you need to?

[Rupe]

SBK mixed with parafin instead of water.

 

At least thats what the old SBK worked with, not sure about the new version.

[Craig Johnson]

Why exactly do you need to?

 

want to save the old hawthorn that the ivy is killing

[Ian Leach]

Surely it would kill both ??

[Craig Johnson]

Surely it would kill both ??

 

thats what i want to avoid

[SAM66S]

Could you not cut it at the base then spray the re-growth? Instead of spraying the whole hedge?

[Dean Lofthouse]

I have sometimes get small cans with a bit of glyphos in, hang them securely on a branch then cut some of the vigorous ivy stems and immerse in the glyphos over night.

 

Do it with a few cans along the whole hedge

[Beardie]

My first thought is to cut out a section 30cm long from every ivy stem to deprive the top growth. But I suppose that in your case,you have multiple stems of both species inextricably intertwined, and for a long length of hedge this could be tedious, to say the least.

 

There probably a deeper reason as to why the ivy is swamping the hawthorn, as hawthorn is usually vigorous enough to stay on top. Factors could include the age of the hawthorn, shade, and what happened when the hedge was last laid, (if ever). If the hawthorn was pleached and laid without removing much ivy from the base of the hedge, this could have tipped the balance in the ivy's favour.