At Carrington & Son, we have gained many years invaluable experience dealing with the removal and eradication of Ivy on your property, trees and boundary fencing/hedging.
- Sensitive Ivy removal and eradication in conservation areas in Kent.
- Ivy uses a building/tree as a framework upon which to climb. Although it produces aerial rootlets to self attach to the host property/tree, it is not parasitic nor does it feed from the host tree unlike a true tree parasite mistletoe.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES AND AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS:
If left unchecked, Ivy growth will cause long term damage to mortar, rendering, external pipe work and cabling, soffits, roof spaces and roof tiles.
Our approach is from the ground up, where access is possible we dig out the Ivy by the root. Should the rootstock be inaccessible to be dug out, we sever the plant at ground level and apply specialist chemicals to kill the root. We then with appropriate sensitivity to the building, gradually unpick/remove the network of Ivy growth using a variety of specialist tools. Particular care and attention has to be taken at soffit level so no damage is caused to gutters and roof tiles.
Ivy on Trees and Shrubs:
Once again our Ivy removal and eradication procedure is from the ground up.
Showing care and sensitivity to the bark and cambium layer, once Ivy rootstocks have been removed we methodically unpick the network of Ivy growth. A heavy/long term infestation of Ivy is incredibly damaging to the tree.
Although seen by many as a wildlife habitat and also that deciduous trees “outrun” the Ivy growth, knowledge and experience prove time and again that heavy Ivy growth will ultimately lead to demise, limb loss and collapse of the tree.
Heavy Ivy growth can cause a huge “Sail effect” on the tree which it may be unable to counter.
Boundary lines, walls, fencing and hedging:
Sadly we see all too many Ivy infested boundary walls, fences and hedges.
Although brick/stone/ flint walls can have Ivy successfully removed and eradicated, by the time a property owner acknowledges there is a problem with Ivy on a fence or hedgerow, it is generally too late to salvage fencing or hedging below.
At Carrington & Son we can assist with the Ivy and fencing removal and site clearance, prior to new fencing or hedging being installed.
On mature specimen hedging of plant value (Beech/Hornbeam etc.) it can prove worthwhile but time consuming carefully removing all signs of Ivy growth.
Common Ivy (Hedera Helix) is the most common type of Ivy to be found in the South East. Although not the same as “Poison Ivy” found in the U.S. it is however capable of causing severe skin irritation on contact with bruised foliage and also breathing difficulties and eye irritation (Mainly due to the volume of dust it harbours) whilst working amongst it.
At Carrington & Son the Ivy removal and eradication services, we are most commonly asked to provide fall in to 3 main categories.
- Residential properties and agricultural buildings.
- Mature Trees and Shrubs that have been neglected.
- Boundary Walls-Fencing-Hedging.
At Carrington & Son we conduct a site visit and survey to assess the nature and extent of the Ivy problem. We discuss with the client the cause of the problem, why it has occurred, the origin of the ivy rootstocks and the method of our approach for full ivy removal and eradication.