CambridgeJC

Hmm. Not my language buddy. Too circumbobulated for me. But I take your meaning. The main thing is you’re engaging so thanks for that. Also Mick. Thanks. You’re not such a bad guy😂😂😂. Actually I cut a small portion of ivy stem about 3cm diameter. It dried out quickly and seems both very hard but also very lightweight. This is an interesting combination. Any comments?

Ok. Not so simple though. How can I set up a simple poll of opinion? With a yes/no option? I can formulate the question but don’t know the site options for such a poll…

First off it would be good to canvas the more educated arborists for opinion as to whether they recognise a change in intrusiveness of ivy in recent years. It appears one must suffer the extravagacies of those whose mission is to disrespect and humiliate people who don’t happen to agree with them. But in general the arborists on this site are genial and engaged people so it is certainly worth pursuing. Thanks

What on earth does this mean?

I know you’re not being confrontational. You have good points. However just ask yourself…have you ever taken any action to remove or cut ivy back? You then have your answer. You must surely have decided that it needed control. My contention is rather that ivy has started to take on a more sinister habit which will eventually lead to real difficulties for landowners across the country. You either agree or disagree. I am trying to discover the consensus opinion of arborists on this forum. Hope you can agree this is worth the effort. Thanks

Good point. I think I prefer a poll with additional comments like yours. We need a considered and informed poll as to whether there is a serious threat posed by ivy or if it is all imaginary when we all see images as attached here every day. The threat may in fact be to a hitherto healthy ecosystem. That is precisely my point. Thanks

It makes sense on the basis that I guess even those who think ivy does not represent a problem probably still understand it needs to be controlled in some way. The problem still exists as to how to approach effective control when there is so much growth everywhere nowadays. Does this make sense now? I posted both to accommodate both positions and in my attempt to obtain engagement from both initial sides of the argument. Thanks for all comments no matter whether they agreewith my personal fears about ivy.

No. How do I do this? Its a good idea. As long as it allows extended comment by way of support. Thanks.

Figure of speech my furry friend. Meaning that ivy is not a foreign import. But it nevertheless poses an identifiable threat to our native ecology. What is the nonsense you refer to?

If you think ivy does NOT present any problem towards our countryside please contribute to this forum. If you have constructive ideas how to control (not eradicate) ivy please let us know. Thanks. John

If you think ivy has become invasive within the woodlands and hedgerows then please contribute to this forum. If you have constructive ideas how to control (not eradicate) ivy please let us know. Thanks. John

OK. Here goes… Our countryside has an enemy within. A hitherto benign member of our natural flora, Hedera helix the common or English ivy, has been surreptitiously extending its influence on the balance of power which has prevailed over many years. It presents a clear and present threat to our environment in the same way that an invasive species can destroy whole swathes of other species and is starting to threaten our ability to maintain control as custodians of our countryside. We need to recognise our collective failure to handle ivy with an ignorance of the potential dangers which are now becoming obvious. Despite the fact that it is already a designated invasive species in the USA. Invasive habit does not change with international location and it does NOT depend on introduction across national borders. The various woodlands authorities are employing the wrong definition of invasive species when they restrict it to immigrant species. They need to become smarter and look closely at the growth habit explosion and change their recommendations to leave ivy to run riot on the excuse that it does not kill trees directly and only weak and sick trees and provides excellent cover for wildlife. This borders on complacency in the absence of situation intelligence. Any advantages are outweighed now by its ability to overrun whole areas of poorly managed and neglected woodlands and hedgerows. The widespread encroachment of ivy and massive growth development of individual plants into to top canopy and hedgerows is clear for anyone with eyes to see and brains to compute the consequences. It is not smart to simply deny it without reference to a full scientific study which is now required with urgency. I call on all arborists to engage here now. In particular we must apply our collective knowledge and experience to address the problem of how we can call a halt to the insidious encroachment of ivy as a whole and how we can actually reverse the process to the point that we regain our powers to control it. How does one exert practical control measures to handle the current widespread encroachment of this species? I am confident that this will upset some individuals like my good friend Mick, but I encourage you all to think carefully and base your comments on observations and knowledge rather than any emotive motivation. The issue is now extremely important if we are to regain control of our enemy within.

Just had to add my ivy snap for Mick. I know how much he loves ivy🤣🤣😂

Yep…🤣🤣🤣

Here is an informed comment by another “junior” member with experience and ability to engage on this important issue without resorting to provocation to other contributors who may not have the same level of knowledge or experience as he clearly has. I believe the time has come to engage a wider audience to this subject as this ivy invasion will develop in short time to the point it becomes impossible to control. Please help me to engage as many people in this arborist community for their consideration of this issue. Time is running out for wider action which can only occur if the problem is raised across this beautiful land.

You’re right Joe. I’ve been quiet for a bit recently and have decided to do just that. Wake up to reality guys… The ivy growth in our area of East of England is becoming dangerously invasive. The advice to leave it unchecked to provide cover for wildlife is honourable in principle but misinformed in practice. I am keen to know how many years ago this general advice and policy for woodlands and countryside management changed to this handsoff approach? I suspect this official advice has now resulted in a serious potential catastrophe for our countryside. No more, no less. Unless we collectively understand the danger it poses we will be failing to manage the intrusive growth habit and unwittingly create a situation that can no longer be controlled. It may even already be too late. The time has come to open your eyes and see the obvious excessive negative impact on both hedgerows and woodlands. If controlled judiciously then ivy presents little risk and of course has some benefits but left unchallenged then it will take over as in my attachment photos and our hedgerows and improperly managed woodlands will be destroyed. That will be a major catastrophe for wildlife far greater than any removal of excessive ivy growth. Ask your mates and property owners... which side of this fence do you stand? You arborists are at the frontline and you surely have the brains and eyes to work it out for yourselves. You don’t need a retired scientist to point out the obvious. And to deride me just because I hava a scientific background (see earlier posts by one contributor) simply shows your prejudicial mindset You know to whom I refer. As openspaceman said…don’t argue with idiots. Especially those who admit they are only engage for the sake of argumentation. This is a serious issue. Lets get the facts discussed properly and get collectively mobilised towards an effective policy on ivy control in the UK…before it damages our land beyond repair. All the green growth here is ivy…in March when uninfested hedgerows are already green with new leaves. Photos taken today. And by the way not a birdie in sight!!!

Just a small gift for you all…

Finally someone who is using his eyes to see and not just his beliefs!!! This is real data. And it does NOT have to fit anyone’s predicted theory, neither for nor against the encroachment of ivy. Thanks Stubby.

This should stir things up a bit

Quite understandable but my interest is in how many bushes and trees are taken out (killed) by high winds due to heavy ivy growth especially in the canopy. Driving locally for 80 mile round trip there was much fallen material on roadside with mostly heavy ivy load. Very few were without any sign of ivy. I look forward to input from arborists who must be extremely busy at this moment with clearing work. Please refrain from personal comments which can appear to be verbally abusive or bullying. Especially towards us non-arborists. We scientists are delicate souls and we feel like crying like babies when we receive nasty horrible criticism.

I presume Mick here speaks for all you arborists ? In the absence of any responses. Thanks for your friendly and constructive comments.

Thanks. I was not aware of that. I will refrain in future. I have often used that to indicate a certain level of condescension which is in itself quite immature and for which I wholeheartedly apologise. Friends now? Actually I am very disappointed and disheartened by the general level of response to a serious original question in this forum and am inclined now to terminate engagement which will I assume be fully welcomed by certain individuals. I have despite this learned a lot in my short exposure to some of the friendly arborists here and for those who have helped and contributed in good faith I thank you. No need to respond unless equally in good faith. Cheers

Good point. Actually both up and down are geotropism. Up is negative geotropism and down is positive geotropism. Isn’t this fun???!!!

I meant to reply here. Its a very good question if its true. I am not qualified to answer with any authority but many of the trees felled by the wind locally show signs of sickness of some sort. I would guess that such trees are weakened and prone to wind damage but my main concern is healthy trees which become susceptible to windfall due to high growth of ivy which I can see all over the locality. I wonder how widespread this is and if arborists over the country also notice this. So far they seem very reluctant to report observations except to state ivy does not kill healthy trees. I find that hard to believe but I remain open to persuasion on the basis of informed observation and supporting evidence. There are a number of possibilities for increasing physiological stress but some may demand a review of accepted understanding including whether or not ivy is a cause or an effect of the stress. I am just asking a question and certainly not expressing an opinion. And the question results from my personal observations in the field. Thanks for you considered clarification. Plants are indeed opportunists and that includes ivy of course. Herewith image of ivy and tree windfall yesterday.