Help identifying please.

Hi all.
I recently moved into a new house, which has a rather large climbing vine/shrub growing on the shed.
It is really large and actually doing damage to the brickwork as it has rather thick roots.
Now I know practically nothing about gardening, so I need a bit of advice on how to identify and get rid of the vine. I have attached some pics to help.
I would prefer to poisin as it is as some of the brickwork might be to loose to cut it down to the roots, so what is the best way forward?
Thanks for your help

 

Hi, its common English Ivy, when it reaches the top of its support it matures and changes its leaf form and will then flower and produce berries. It is highly attractive to a variety of wildlife

Its a shame if it has to go, despite popular belief the ivy itself doesn't damage brickwork or wood, the problem occasionally occurs because water and moisture is held up by its evergreen leaves

 

Unfortunately in the second picture you can see where the root has displaced a few bricks. I am a bit concerned that the roots will do more damage as the root actually appears to be growing under the brickwork. Is there an easy way of getting rid of it?

 

If you're going to remove it, be careful to check whether there's nesting birds in there and if so delay removal until they've finished nesting.

 

No nests, I have checked already. Thanks for the tip though.

 

A quick google search yielded this...
Ivy roots take hold in cracks and crevices, but they generally aren’t strong enough to create them. This means that solid, well-constructed masonry walls usually can handle ivy (and the ivy even helps keep it cool and dry), but the invasive roots can cause considerable damage to other surfaces.

Perhaps this could be better answered by an experienced builder.

 

I agree. Ivy causes no damage at all. The damage has to have been there in the first place. It would be a shame if you do get rid of it as it's one of the most beneficial plants we grow.

 

I disagree, Ivy can cause damage by developing/growing into very small cracks or crevices which would be intrinsic to a building (eg it can grow in the gap between a gutter and the building eventually widening the gap and forcing the gutter off the wall). It grows so quickly, once it has a hold it would be impossible to monitor every space into which it can grow.

Having said that, its aerial don't get a strong hold initially and so the stems aren't too difficult to pull away as long as they're visible and within reach.

 

so can anyone suggest a good way to get rid of it? roots are growing in the brickwork, so it has to go. Just a question of the best way of doing so.

 

Cut the main stem and pull away as much as you can. Don't assume that just because the main stem has been cut you will kill the plant - you won't. Get as close as possible to the building or anywhere that the plant can intrude, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much can be physically pulled off. Once you've removed as much as possible you need to monitor for any new growth and most importantly ensure that you've cleared all of the debris as Ivy can re-root very quickly. Use weedkiller or brush killer when you've reduced the amount you need to get rid of but I would suggest that the physical removal is more important and should be your priority.

If you have the facility, burning the debris is better than composting if you don't want any risk of regrowth or spreading elsewhere.