How to Kill Invasive

English Ivy Vines:

3 Steps.

English ivy (Hedera helix) is highly invasive in North America and other parts of the world.

STEP 1:PREPARE

Consult expert sources. Make sure the target plant is English ivy.

Deal with climbing ivy vines first. They can kill desirable plants.

An effective way to treat English ivy vines is to use the “cut stump” method.

See our other presentation on killing English ivy groundcover.

Things You Will Need:

• Tool to cut vines:

– Loppers.

– Saw for thick stems.

• Herbicide dispenser for cut stump treatments.

• Herbicide and its label.

Our large dispenser with extension nozzle works great for big cut stump projects.

For little projects use our small dispenser.

Advantages of Green Shoots® foam herbicide:

1. Precision.

2. Foam clings to target surface.

3. Foam dries slowly increasing absorption.

Commonly Available Herbicides

• Glyphosate concentrate: use 20% active ingredient or greater.

• Triclopyr concentrate: use 8% active ingredient or greater.

• Always read the herbicide label!

Time of Year

• Treat stump at almost any time of year.

• Avoid early spring.

• Fall and winter are the best times.

STEP 2:CUT THE

VINES

Remove ring of ivy around the entire tree trunk.

Loppers work well for smaller vines.

Try to avoid damaging the bark of the tree.

Be sure to sever all ivy vines.

Do not try to remove vines from upper part of tree. Vine tops will die on their own.

STEP 3:APPLY THEHERBICIDE

For the herbicide to work best, stumps must be freshly cut.

(Treat within 5 to 10 minutes of cutting).

Recut stumps if necessary.

Cut stumps as close to the ground as possible.

2 to 5 inches.

NOT so close to ground that dirt can contaminate cut.

1 inch.

Immediately after cutting, treat the stump face.

Apply foam to perimeter of stump where live inner bark is located.

Treat all stumps! Un-treated ones will quickly re-sprout.

Avoid contacting desirable plants with Herbicide. For example, damaged tree bark can

allow herbicide to enter tree’s system.

Leave treated stumps in place for at least 4 months.

Kill nearby English ivy groundcoverbefore it climbs trees and other structures.

See our other presentation on killing English ivy groundcover.

More Information

• Green Shoots® www.greenshootsonline.com

• Contact: john@greenshootsonline.com

• Search: green shoots foam herbicide

Other Resources

• DiTomaso et al., Weed Control – English Ivy 2013.

• Yang et al., English Ivy Control 2013.

• Conservation Company, Control Methods of English Ivy 2010.