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Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa, English Ivy is an evergreen woody vine that easily climbs and forms dense ground cover in forests. It infests woodlands, fields, hedgerows, and other land areas, crowding out native vegetation. As it climbs trees, English Ivy engulfs and kills branches by blocking light from reaching the tree's leaves. The host tree eventually will succumb to the steady weakening from prolonged loss of sunlight.
English Ivy can also cause damage to manmade structures, pushing into cracks and fissures in any spaces between rocks, bricks, siding, shingles, etc. The vines can also serve as "highways" for insects and other pests.
Manual, mechanical, and chemical control methods are all effective in removing and killing English Ivy. Loudoun County Master Gardeners has these tips for safely removing English Ivy from trees and structures:
If you like the appearance of vines in your garden consider alternative native species, such as Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata) or Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens).
First discovered in Baltimore County in 1996, Wavyleaf Grass has spread rapidly throughout Maryland and into Virginia over the past two decades. Wavyleaf grows low to the ground and spreads easily across the forest floor displacing native plant species completely. Due to the Wavyleaf's sticky, spikelet seed, the invasive grass is often spread unintentionally by clinging to both humans (i.e. hikers) and animals alike.
Very small patches of Wavyleaf Grass can be controlled by hand pulling before roots take hold. It can also be controlled by clethodim herbicides, which is grass specific. Several years of control are often required to deplete mature Wavyleaf Grass. Hikers should take special care to remove all seeds that stick to clothing, shoes, and pets prior to leaving the forest.
If you like the appearance of Wavyleaf Grass, consider native alternatives like Deer-tongue grass (Dichanthelium clandestinum) or Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix).
Brought to North America from China in the 18th Century, the Tree of Heaven is also known as stinking sumac (due to its flowers' unpleasant smell), Chinese sumac, and varnish tree. The Tree of Heaven reproduces very quickly, aggressively crowds out native species, and secretes a chemical into the soil that is toxic to surrounding plants.
In addition to harming the native ecosystem, the Tree of Heaven can also cause damage to pavement, sewers, and building foundations due to its aggressive root system. It also has helped advance the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly (see below).
The most effective way to control Tree of Heaven is to pull seedlings by hand before the root takes hold. Mature Tree of Heaven plants are harder to successfully remove, as the entire root must be removed since broken fragments may resprout. Penn State Ag Extension provides a comprehensive method and best timing for removing Tree of Heaven plants.
If you like the appearance of Tree of Heaven plants, consider native alternatives like the Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) or Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra).
Charles Prince, City Arborist
Ph: 703-248-5183 (TTY 711)
300 Park Ave.
Suite 103 East
Falls Church, VA 22046
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.