Now that the leaves have (mostly) fallen from the branches, you may notice how easy it is to spot English Ivy growing up the trees throughout the township. Have you spotted the shaggy green tree trunks in your yard?
English ivy is an invasive species which may start as a groundcover, but can grow up your tree trunks, ultimately killing trees and shrubs by stealing nutrients, as well as strangling growth and adding significant weight to trees which can increase damage during storms, or cause trees to fall under the weight. If ivy is left unchecked, it will eventually kill your trees. Luckily, this is the perfect time of year to spot it. If you have a large amount of English Ivy in your yard, prioritize removing it from your trees first.
Because ivy gets its nutrients from the soil at the base of the tree, cutting the vines all the way around the trunk will starve the ivy growing on the tree bark above. Wear gloves and long sleeves during removal - some people experience contact dermatitis or allergic reactions to English Ivy. If you have sensitive skin, consider hiring a tree service or arborist to help. Using hand pruners, cut all of the ivy vines around the bark a few inches above the ground, and again at chest height, being careful not to damage the tree bark. It's best to clear any ivy at least six feet around the base of the tree if you are able. Dead ivy vines will still cling to the bark after being girdled, but as the tree grows, the ivy will slough off. (An alternative to waiting for it to fall off is to have an arborist pull the ivy from the bark.)