Skip to content

How To Properly Remove English Ivy

1. Use garden pruners to cut ivy about 4 feet up from the tree base around the entire trunk of the trees.

ivy on tree trunk
cutting ivy

2. Pull the ivy off the tree trunk from the cut point down to the ground to create a “circle of life.” Pull the ivy roots out of the ground at the tree base, if possible, to prevent it from growing back quickly on the tree.

ivy cut from bottom of tree

3. Leave the ivy vines above the cuts on the tree because you can harm the tree by removing them. The ivy should die within a few weeks and drop off.

dead ivy on tree

English Ivy Removal in Action

You will see and understand the English ivy problem and learn how to properly remove it from your trees.

View text in video

English ivy is invasive and it’s everywhere in your community, in your parks, along your roads, at work, and at school. English ivy was brought to the US as early as 1727. Now it is considered a serious weed but is not treated that way. English ivy is an evergreen, perennial climbing vine with green waxy leaves and dark colored berries. Oriental Bittersweet, Porcelain Berry, Wisteria, Japanese Honeysuckle, Kudzu and English Ivy. English ivy in particular grows in the ground and in the canopy. The leaves inhibit photosynthesis to other plants. The vines become a perfect home for harmful pathogens. The infested tree eventually dies. But English ivy is easy to cut down!

View the outstanding video by Ella and Kira highlighting the dangers of English ivy. Ella works with SOT Susan Wheatley to learn how to properly remove ivy and to show how easy it is to save a tree! Thanks to both of you for choosing Save Our Trees for your Environmental Literacy PSA project.