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English Ivy | CW0010 |
Coast Action/Coastcare
August, 2001 |  |
Introduction
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
Family: Araliaceae
Origin: Europe
Distribution
Weed Dispersal
Birds eat fruit and void seeds. Also spread through dumped garden waste. Sometimes deliberately planted.
Caution
English Ivy has poisonous foliage and its flower pollen can irritate eyes.
Indigenous Look-a-likes
Wonga Wonga Vine, Pandorea pandorana
A woody climber in forests, but its leaves are a different shape and its stems do not cling to the bark.
Identification
Form
CLIMBER- Evergreen vine, up to 25m high, with woody stems and aerial rootlets which can adhere to any surface. Can form a dense, smothering ground cover.
Leaf
Glossy, smooth leaves, 4-10cm across with 3-5 lobes, dark green above, paler beneath.
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Flower
Small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers in late Autumn-Winter, only produced when plant climbs to sufficient height.
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Fruit
Small, black berries in Winter-Spring
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Management
Permission should be sought from the land manager before any weed control is undertaken.
Removal methods
Remove small and scattered plants first and then target outer edges of larger infestations. Best removed before plants flower and fruit. English Ivy has long runners that develop shallow roots when in touch with the soil.
Small Plants
Start with vines growing up trees to prevent flowering and further spread by seed.
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Cut all stems leading up the tree. The upper part will die off. Fine stems can be hidden in rough bark.
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Hand pull parent plant, following the long runners to their source.
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Young seedlings can be sprayed if appropriate.
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Large Established Plants - As above.
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If root is too large to be removed by hand, pull stems away from supporting tree trunks, stripping bark for at least 20cm and immediately paint with herbicide, cutting notches into exposed vine to aid retention of chemical (frilling).
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Disposal
Remove all stem parts from the ground as they will take root and regrow. If removal from site is difficult ensure vines are placed off the ground (on branches or a platform) to dry out and decompose. Alternatively, seal in strong bags and take to the tip.
Maintenance
Monitor site regularly for regrowth or new seedlings every six months. Hand pull. Heavy mulching with appropriate material will suppress new growth.
Life Cycle
The life cycle may vary according to seasons and site conditions such as soil type, aspect and location.
Replacement Plants
Replace English Ivy with appropriate indigenous plants. Encourage indigenous plant regeneration. Seek advice from you local indigenous nursery or your NRE Coast Action/Coastcare facilitator.
Herbicide Recommendations
- Always consider manual weed removal methods before herbicide treatments, to avoid the unnecessary introduction of herbicides into the natural environment.
- Information on up-to-date herbicide treatment is available from herbicide companies.
- Users of herbicides should read the label fully, follow directions carefully and ensure that correct precautions and procedures are applied. To do otherwise is at the user’s own risk.
- It is advisable for at least one member of any environment group to have undertaken an approved chemical safety course. See local TAFE courses.
Did you know?
English Ivy is highly invasive and a very serious threat to indigenous vegetation.
- A mature ivy vine will eventually kill its support tree by
- smothering thus preventing photosynthesis
- preventing bark shedding
- causing collapse
- Few people are aware that ivy flowers and sets seeds which may be spread by birds.
- Leaves and seeds of Ivy are poisonous. Flower pollen can irritate eyes.
Success Story
Friends of Sherbrooke Forest have maintained clearings of large infestations of English Ivy over 11 years through constant follow-up.
Feedback
New information is vital. Please inform your local DNRE Coast Action/Coastcare facilitator of your weed management results.
References
Bodkin, F. (1990). Encyclopaedia Botanica. Angus and Robertson, NSW.
- Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V., Robinson, K.E. (1992). Environmental Weed Invasions in Victoria. Department to Natural Resources and Environment, & Ecological Horticulture Pty Ltd, Melbourne
- Eltham Pest Plant Advisory Subcommittee. (1992). Weeds of our Bushland Shire of Eltham, Melbourne.
- Freshwater, V. (1991). Control of English Ivy in Sherbrooke Forest- a practical experience. Plant Protection Quarterly Vol 6 (3). InkataPress, Melbourne.
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The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
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