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The Weed Wire: English Ivy
Juvenile growth phase
Photo by Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
History and Native Range: Hedera helix is a woody evergreen trailing or climbing vine native to Eurasia and Northern Africa occurring in forests. English Ivy was brought to North America by colonial settlers around 1800 to be used in landscape design. The original use of “ivy” to describe the universities in the “Ivy League” conference (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Cornell, Brown, Penn, and Dartmouth) was in 1933, when a sports reporter referred to them as the “ivy colleges.” This was perhaps due to the “ivy-covered halls of learning,” but the exact reasoning for this use is unclear.
Identification: English ivy leaves are alternative, evergreen and waxy. Most leaves are juvenile with a dull green distinct vein and variable leaf form with 3-5 lobes. Mature leaves are unlobed and more glossy.
English ivy fruit.
Photo by Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org
English Ivy has two distinct growth phases, the vegetative phase (juvenile) and the sexual reproductive phase (adult). Generally, the reproductive phase occurs in climbing adult plants that reach sufficient light. Fruit/seeds produced during this phase are dispersed by birds. In addition to reproducing through seed, ivy also can reproduce vegetatively making new plants from fragments of living vines.
The Problem Here: As stated, English Ivy is a widely cultivated ornamental. However, it can easily escape cultivation through two ways: seeds and vegetative fragments. Under the right conditions vine fragments from English Ivy can take root and form new plants- this typically occurs when yard waste is dumped in natural areas (As a general rule, NEVER dispose of yard waste by dumping in random locations. Always use a municipal green waste bin, free compost dump facilities, or your own compost pile). After English Ivy is introduced to the landscape by either of these routes, the hardy and adaptable plant can quickly outcompete native species and dominate the understory.
English Ivy cut at chest height (Girdling). Photo credit: City of Portland Parks and Recreation : No Ivy League
Manual Control: Small infestations of English Ivy are best controlled by hand pulling and bagging materials. Care must be taken to remove the whole plant, as ivy can spread underground through roots or buried vine fragments, and material left behind can resprout. Removal of vines from trees should be conducted by “”girdling” or cutting the vine at chest high and removing the lower climbing materials. Vines left on trees will slowly die if deprived of water and nutrients, if the vines fall and make contact with soil they may reroot and continue to survive.
Herbicides: English Ivy can be treated using herbicides with careful consideration and timing. Foliar spraying may show limited success as the waxy leaves limit herbicide absorption, but this may be the most efficient method for treating large numbers of small plants. When mixing herbicide mixtures, adding a higher level of surfactant can help the product stick to the waxy leaves increasing the efficacy of treatment and reducing potential over application. It is always recommended to consult with a professional prior to any chemical treatments.
Links to Information and Studies:
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MidCoast Watersheds Council
Volunteer Event
Volunteer Opportunity
Join us for a Restoration Work Day!
Wednesday, January 14th
9 am to 1 pm
MidCoast Watersheds Council invites you to our upcoming Volunteer Day on Wednesday, January 14th, from 9 AM to 1 PM!
Volunteers will help plant trees and stake willow at our 40-acre restoration project at a former Christmas tree farm along the Alsea River on Hwy 34.
All skill levels are encouraged to attend for as little or long as you'd like within the 9 am to 1 pm timeframe! Come get your hands dirty and make a difference!
Expect possible rain and muddy conditions- please dress accordingly. Muck boots, rain pants, and rain jackets are recommended. This event is weather dependent and volunteers that RSVP Yes to me will be notified the morning of by 8 am via email if the weather will cancel our plans.
We will provide tools, gloves, snacks, and some drinks. Please bring a water bottle.
Meet on-site: Please park by the shed: Google Maps Link. Please be aware that this site is approximately 30 minutes east of Waldport up the Alsea Hwy 34.
RSVP: Please let me know if you will be attending by directly emailing me back
Looking ahead, we will have another Volunteer Day at our Native Plant Nursery on South Beaver Creek Road on Wednesday, January 28th from 9 am to 1 pm! Stay tuned for more details.