woodcock11 Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Now that the shooting season is over, we are turning ourselves to trying to remove ivy from trees. Last year, I screwed up my back and chainsawing is still not really recommended - as in clearing jungle etc The method we use is to saw through the ivy stems/trunks near the base and then again about 3 - 4 feet from the ground and remove the cut bits. The remainder above then dies off and in time strong winds will remove the remaining dead trailings bits from the tree. Job done - but not quite. sometimes but not always, the ivy will re-grow from the stumps at ground level. Anyone got any ideas or clues on what to paint onto the stumps that will kill them off but not damage the tree? I seem to remember someone once mentioned a mix of round-up and red diesel. Does that work? Is it harmful to trees? What are the proportions? Are the any better methods of killing the ivy stumps? Thanks in anticipation for some great tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 buy a product called SBK, its a brushwood killer and stump killer, with a cordless drill drill the stem where you've cut it and pour it in neat. Worked a treat on some I had on the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben0850 Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Not sure on chemical warfare my method has always been cutting back to a stump and cutting all attaching parts from the ivy so that it is a stump in isolation before dragging it out with chains and load all bucket..? Bit of a chew if I'm honest. Like yourself I'd love to know any other methods?!? Also heard copper roofing nails were supposed to me rather good?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Holliday Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 My neighbours has a real bi-atch of an ivy plant. I've hammered umpteen copper nails in it as well as leaving some of it's roots in a little pot of neat SBK but the mother still came back. Now the neighbours have moved out again it may mean some nighttime plant warfare before they get tennants to move in :yp: As an add on, there is a plant which is also very invasive. I believe it's called Stag's Horn Sumach. If anyone can also offer some good advice on dealing with this that would be great. Al4x, SBK have changed their formula. It used to be a brown coloured substance and smelt of diesel but their new stuff is clear and odourless. Not anywhere near as good. The trouble with diesel is that it absolutely stinks and is imediately obvious someone has tempered with the plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodcock11 Posted February 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 My neighbours has a real bi-atch of an ivy plant. I've hammered umpteen copper nails in it as well as leaving some of it's roots in a little pot of neat SBK but the mother still came back. Now the neighbours have moved out again it may mean some nighttime plant warfare before they get tennants to move in :yp: As an add on, there is a plant which is also very invasive. I believe it's called Stag's Horn Sumach. If anyone can also offer some good advice on dealing with this that would be great. Al4x, SBK have changed their formula. It used to be a brown coloured substance and smelt of diesel but their new stuff is clear and odourless. Not anywhere near as good. The trouble with diesel is that it absolutely stinks and is imediately obvious someone has tempered with the plant. Doc - you sound like a bit of an horticultural terrorist and know what you are up to - neighbours invasive species are a real nightmare! Here, the ivy-clad trees are all on our own land so no problem with that. I am glad that you don't rate copper nails to highly - if we went for that approach, we would be competing with the Chinese to buy up the world's copper production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cookiemonsterandmerlin. Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 A tip for you boys the reason so many fail to kill with weedkiller is because ivy has oily leafs the weedkiller fails to do its wonders and fails to stop the phtocnysics SPELLING. If you add fairy liquid to your roundup it helps the roundup penertrate the oil to the leafs and will work in the end but you will have a ongoing battle. Cheers OTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulf Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 Ring cut the ivy carefully with a silky saw or bow saw, two cuts 2" gap between, knock the cut bits out with the back of an axe then paint timbrel or SBK on the lower cut end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bb Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 As an add on, there is a plant which is also very invasive. I believe it's called Stag's Horn Sumach. If anyone can also offer some good advice on dealing with this that would be great. This tree is the world's worst weed! Roots go everywhere and destroy tarmac and cement. Have tried everything and failed. It's not even pretty, who plants it and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Mike Posted February 16, 2011 Report Share Posted February 16, 2011 (edited) Wrap Copper wire around the base of the trunk so it cuts into the sap wood. Edited February 16, 2011 by Fisherman Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scolopax Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Why would you possibly want to remove Ivy from a tree ?? It provides food and homes for all kinds of birds and insects, including of coures woodpigeons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodcock11 Posted February 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Why would you possibly want to remove Ivy from a tree ?? It provides food and homes for all kinds of birds and insects, including of coures woodpigeons. Yes I agree and we will not be getting rid of all the ivy. The reason we are doing this is the ivy is literally strangling and killing the trees stone dead - some are 40 to 50 feet tall. And to make it worse, a tree that is covered in ivy is extremely vulnerable to gales as the wind cannot blow through the branches and the next thing is that you have a fallen tree that blocks rides, damages pens and smashes other trees to bits as it falls. As a friend said to us, she can almost imagine hearing the tree sighing with relief when you cut through its corset of ivy. Thanks to those who have given tips. Round up mixed with Fairy Liquid sounds like a good one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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