killing ivy roots around apple tree

Thanks! So, I made a good dent today. I managed to pull off all the vines that were stuck to the tree trunk. I hadn't seen your message at that point but I didn't make it up into the branches so I haven't done any harm. I'll take your advice and be careful with them when I carry on next week.

I will give it a feed in the spring yes, that's a good idea. I'm not sure what you mean by using the membrane though. What is the purpose? Is it to let the water through to the feed whilst still protecting the area? How does having grass underneath affect this? Also, why would I dig out the lawn? Sorry, I'm obviously a bit of a novice with this!

There was one thing that was slightly worrying. Removing some of the vines higher up the trunk reveal a section with some sticky white growth on it? I've attached a picture. Is this anything to worry about?

Interesting that I spoke to our neighbour today who told me that each of us in our row used to have an apple tree and that all apart form ours have died. All the more reason to try and help it! They did admit the previous owner wasn't much of a gardner

Also, someone was telling me today that it's an old wives tale that you need to remove ivy from a tree and that it actually does not harm. Is this true?

Thanks again
James

 

Hi James

sorry I should of given you a more detailed answer , grass competes with the tree ie water and nutrients even if its just a metre with the membrane all the way around and it makes cutting the lawn easier and you wont damage the trunk of the tree , so by putting the membrane down it kills the grass but at the same time rain water can still get to the root area and any feed you sprinkle on .

With ivy "old wives tale" its the weight of the ivy is the problem breaking the branches plus not letting light and air into the tree which it needs to stay healthy plus I think it was winning with smothering yours , its a ornamental/fruit tree not a oak bit of difference , dont worry about that mould growing from the old ivy stems I have seen that before someone else may know whats its called and you are cutting it out anyway

Spruce

 

Hi Professor Green,

Hope I'm not too late with my reply here.

What you've done in severing the ivy is more than suitable for controlling the problem. Roots of plants that grow in proximity to one another can sometimes fuse or graft together, meaning that what affects the one can affect the other. In this case, what you apply to the ivy could easily be translocated to your tree. My advice would be to sever the ivy at the base, perhaps remove as much as you can from out the crown and wait for the rest to die off. keep an eye on the ivy regrowth thoughout the year. by repeatedly trimming back any new growth you will keep it in check.

As for ivy being a problem in trees; well as Spruce said the weight and surface area of the ivy can add extra load onto the tree which can be problematic, especially in gales or gusts of wind. In addition to this ivy also reduces light and airflow through the crown, both of which are vital for a healthy tree. Ivy can also harbour pests and disease, as well as hide otherwise unseen defects within the tree.

Ultimately one must remember than ivy does not have a symbiotic relationship with trees, and in some cases can be seen as a parasite, even though it's not technically parasitic.

All the best,
Matthew