Yard - my initial question presupposed that, since I don't remember reading anything in English sources about dire effects on trees etc., there must be some reason for that in terms of something different there than here (e.g. pests of some sort or other unidentified conditions...) It was probably misleading of me to use the word garden when I was interested in the bigger picture also - although I did also wonder about it in gardens too... (Bahia and Ink's input helped answer that question, as well as a recent post on GW that included comments from an English gardener on controlling ivy in the garden - she does much the same things as I do to control the ivy coming from my neighbours...) It just occurred to me to check the RHS web site re ivy. Interesting... While this doesn't explain why the ivy would be more damaging in areas of North America, it's interesting to see the English perspective on it: "Just how harmful is ivy? Here are some facts that will help you decide; - Ivy growing on trees is often thought to be a serious problem, endangering the health of even very large trees. However, its presence on the trunk is not damaging and where it grows into the crowns this is usually only because the trees are already in decline or are diseased and slowly dying - If the branch canopy becomes thin and allows sufficient light to enter, the ivy will develop into its arboreal form. Fraxinus (ash), a naturally thin, open-crowned tree may suffer heavy infestation, and for this reason ivy on ash trees is often controlled - When trees grown for their stem or bark, such as birch and some acers, keep the stems or trunks free from ivy - On other trees, ivy can be allowed to grow on the trunk, although one problem with very old or damaged trees is that the ivy may hide cavities which, in time, could gradually enlarge and possibly affect stability - Ivy is not a parasite; the short, root-like growths which form along climbing stems are for support only. Its own root system below ground supplies it with water and nutrients and is unlikely to be strongly competitive with the trees on which it is growing - Ivy has much wildlife value. As ground cover in woodland, ivy greatly lessens the effect of frost, enabling birds and woodland creatures to forage in leaf litter during bitter spells. Growing on trees, it provides hiding, roosting, hibernating and nesting places for various animals, birds and insects (including butterflies), particularly during the winter months and in areas where there are few other evergreens. Note: If you are concerned about an old or diseased tree, always seek professional advice from an arboriculturist or tree surgeon." Their recommendation on how to control it when it is an unwanted groundcover and you don't want to use chemicals: "Dig up all stems and woody roots. This may be difficult on heavy soils or where vegetation is very dense. Where the site is not needed for planting, an alternative control method is to clear away all top growth before laying weed-control fabric and a 10-15cm (4-6in) deep layer of bark mulch. Leave in place for at least two growing seasons." I would bet that a big part of the problem here is likely due to the greater presence of evergreen conifers here that are not evolved to live with evergreen vines. I'm not sure about the PNW, but most forest vines here are deciduous, so are likely less stressful on the trees when they climb on an evergreen conifer. And I wonder if the local bird populations have developed a strong preference for this 'exotic' food source... :-) Note that the RHS info only seems to be talking about deciduous trees and makes reference to ivy having value particularly in the absence of evergreen trees. So I think the the difference in the type of trees in forests between here and there is very much likely to be a key factor in how ivy performs in the environment here relative to there.

I would recommend taking the Ivy off the tree. If he waits to long, the Ivy will crawl further up the tree. What happens is the Ivy blocks the tree's ability to absorb photosynthesis through its leaves. A tree's leaf absorbs the necessary photosynthesis to convert it into energy for its own survival. Try to take as much Ivy off the tree as you can and cut the vine about 6 feet around the base. Let your neighbor that Ivy has the potential to kill a tree but it takes quite a while to do this. If you need any other questions, give drop me an email. DriskillLandscapeSolutions@gmail.com Here is a link that might be useful: GardenWeb

Gracie, The way I've heard that old saying all my life is 'the first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap' and that describes the typical growth of many perennial plants. In the first year, they adjust to being planted (that's the sleeping stage). In the second year, they make mostly root growth (that's the creeping stage). In the third year they begin to show more topgrowth and to spread really well. (That's the crawling or leaping stage.) You cannot compare your plants to anyone else's because there are so many variables involved....soil fertility, soil quality in terms of texture, i.e. plants grow faster in sandy loam, for example, than in rocky soil or clay soil, and shade. Shade can vary from full shade where no sunlight reaches the plant to partial shade where a plant gets some direct sun during the day and shade the rest of the day and dappled shade, where a plant gets sunlight filtered through tree leaves. So, your friend's plants likely are not getting precisely the identical amount of light your plants are, and there likely are differences in soil texture and fertility and soil moisture levels. Any and all of those factors would affect the rate at which the plants are growing. As long as your plants are healthy, they'll grow at the right rate for them and that's all you can ask of them. Dawn

krys, I have several potted regular green English ivy outside. They are doing wonderful. I bring them in every winter, I am sure they will be willing to take the cold. I know because the ones growing on properties over the winters always do well even with the snow and ice and cold temps of South central Pennsylvania. However, they are so pretty, i bring them in every winter, wrap all the new growth around and around, the vine is over 20 feet long now hanging on the one from a hook and put it in my window with light, even shade during the winter, then take back out in the spring. I will be leaving one outside this winter due to a bird family who built their nest in the middle of the English Ivy pot and left droppings all over the poor plant. It seemed to like it though, but this one won't be coming in this winter. Yes outside or inside in winter. Works out well. Never did bonsai with it though. I have a bonsai book which i am sure has English Ivy bonsai details in it. I will have to check. Ciao, Maggie