Best time to remove ivy

Toadrage · #1 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 01:35 PM

I have to remove a substantial amount of ivy growing on fence panels that have got to be replaced.

When would be the best month of the year to do it to minimize the effect on wildlife?

JRsbugs · #2 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Hi Toadrage,

I would think the best time is in spring when it's warm enough for any insects hiding there to find somewhere else.

If you have Blackbirds nesting there they do nest very early, first eggs can usually be found 3 weeks into March so they would be nest building even earlier. If so, then I would say before March.

Is it possible to carefully lay some of the Ivy aside so it can be hung up over the new fence? That would preserve flowers if it's the type you get flowers on, these are valuable food for autumn insects.

Janet

metalfish · #3 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 03:03 PM

Such a shame you have to remove it, but needs must I guess. The best time to remove it... maybe easier to say the worst time to remove it...September (starts to flower and V. important late source of nectar) to February'ish as the berries are forming. If it's thick enough for birds to nest in it then March/ April through to Aug/ Sept is a no go, you could watch for birds flying in with nesting material or food in their beaks then you'd know if there was a nest there.

I'm not sure exactly when the berries ripen, hopefully someone else will tell you, but I'd say removing the ivy just before nesting season may be your best bet even if you are not replacing the fence until much later in the year as no ivy means no nests.

Good luck and nice one for being so considerate

Beekeeper · #4 (**permalink**) 15-12-2009, 10:48 PM

Toadrage.

Removing what is above ground won't stop it returning the following year, however, if you wish to rid yourself of it completely, the best treatment is SPK painted on the foliage and it is applied this time of year, SPK kills the roots of the Ivy plant, known as the brushwood and stump killer, it is the best thing for the job but make sure you dont get it on other plants or wanted shrubs otherwise it will destroy them as well.

My hedge (thorn) was full of Ivy and it got so bad in places the hedge died off through lack of light and fell over, so it was time to get rid of the problem once and for all, with a lot of patience and perseverance most of it has now been destroyed and the hedge has made a excellent recovery, although i always get new Ivy plants appearing due to seeds being dropped by birds from the riverside scrub area behind my property.

Personaly even though it is a good food source for birds and indeed bees when flowering this is one weed i really hate.
Is is not a parasite but destroys by enveloping whatever it attaches to for support, be it shrub or mature oak, it will eventually destroy all it comes in contact with.

Ian

SheffieldLass · #5 (**permalink**) 16-12-2009, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Toadrage.

Personaly even though it is a good food source for birds and indeed bees when flowering this is one weed i really hate.
Is is not a parasite but destroys by enveloping whatever it attaches to for support, be it shrub or mature oak, it will eventually destroy all it comes in contact with.

Ian

I love ivy. Just planted out a piece in my new garden today from a very heavily berried one from my old garden that was a vital late winter/early spring food source for the birds. Also just planted 5 holly seedlings from my old garden, courtesy of the birds.

As regards best timing ... probably early spring if nothing is nesting in it. Or if there is a nest, then mid-late summer after the nesting season.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 16-12-2009, 10:19 AM

February-March, for the reasons given ....

Toadrage · #7 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 09:08 AM

Many thanks to Janet, metalfish, Sheffield Lass and Paul. I'll remove the ivy in March, checking regularly in the weeks before that blackbirds do not start building in it. Thanks also to Ian for his views. However, the ivy is not a weed - it was planted deliberately for its wildlife value. It was an amazing sight in October, hundreds of hoverflies and dozens of butterflies feeding on it. It will be welcome to grow up the new fence panels again when they are in place.

metalfish · #8 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 12:24 PM

Forgot to say.... welcome to WAB Toadrage, it's a good place to come and have a chat and learn things you didn't know that you didn't know!?

Paul mabbott · #9 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalfish

Forgot to say.... welcome to WAB Toadrage, it's a good place to come and have a chat and learn things you didn't know that you didn't know!?

Oh yes, and let us know how your ivy grows and what you find in it! If I had to chose one plant to encourage a broad span of wildlife (I've found toads and even hedgehogs int it!) then I'd go for ivy. It can be a nuisance climbing over houses or over natural hedgerows but, for a wall or fence, no better shrub.

Beekeeper · #10 (**permalink**) 17-12-2009, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadrage

Thanks also to Ian for his views. However, the ivy is not a weed - it was planted deliberately for its wildlife value. It was an amazing sight in October, hundreds of hoverflies and dozens of butterflies feeding on it. It will be welcome to grow up the new fence panels again when they are in place.

It depends how you view it, in my case it was not wanted so i considered it a weed, but as you deliberately planted it then it becomes a something other than a weed, in your case a valuable plant.

Ian