Today I took the ivy off the roof

[MatthewC]

Things are going quite fast on my house this week. The scaffolding was erected from yesterday until this morning, and then the roofer started, so I was at last able to get up and take the ivy off the roof. Here are the views today and before (August).

 

[JoceAndChris]

Well done! Ivy is a pernicious weed.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Ace.

Exciting times.

Well done Mathew.

Keep us posted.

 

[Feltwell]

A good move, ivy can do real damage. We have it growing up the back wall of our neighbour's outhouse - it was so rampant when we moved in, when we cleared it we found an (admittedly small) chimney stack that was previously totally obscured.

My house had Virginia creeper all over the back wall, even over the windows. I'm still picking the little sucker tendrils it puts out from off the brickwork 4 years later. It refuses to die as well - despite being cut back to the ground, then allowing it to re-grow a bit, then applying strong weedkiller every year for 4 years. Anyone got any tips on how to finally make it take the hint that it's not wanted?

 

[robgil]

dig it up? there is stuff used to kill tree stumps , cant remember the name of it.

 

[Carol]

Round up ? Or anything with glyphosate.

Although Somerset ivy generally needs several applications!

 

[Feltwell]

It was Roundup that I've used - 4 times! It's a tough old plant, that's for sure.

Digging it up isn't really an option. It's right next to the house, so a lot of roots must be under the house (which only has "spread" foundations). It will also be under our patio, which whilst it's pretty well shot will be even worse if I try to dig the roots out.

Tree stump killer might be the way to go.

 

[robgil]

sorry fella ,the tree stump killer i was thinking of is round up.

 

[MatthewC]

The combined stems of my ivy measure about 5" x 24" at 15" above the ground where they have been cut off, and they widen considerably down to ground level where they have pushed through concrete. I guess I'll be using Roundup for a long time.

Surprisingly little damage has been caused by the ivy to the slate roof, the stonework and pointing. But what it has done is to damage the iron gutters and fill them with debris so that all rain has dripped off the ivy, mostly going down the side of the building (viz the black mark to the right of the front window). No wonder it is damp!

 

[Schoolmarm]

Make sure you get a good load of leaves growing then lightly abrade the surfaces of the leaf before spraying.

 

[Tom]

You could try cutting it as close to the ground as possible, then covering what's left with tar.

 

[Pford75]

Thicken your roundup with flour...it helps it stick to glossy leaves without running off and gives the ivy time to absorb it

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Get a long wood drill bit, drill deep down into the stumps and fill with sodium chlorate (or chlorate crystals) and plug the top of the holes with a little of the stump. Will kill it within a short space of time. In the very unlikely event you get any side shoots, fill up the holes again.

Just beware that sodium chlorate kills everything and can contaminate the soil if spilled (hence the plugs) - so be careful. Since your ivy stumps are near.through the path I presume this will be OK.

Sodium chlorate is now banned across the EU... but there may still be stocks left in the odd garage or greenhouse (but again its use has been banned since May of this year). Apparently SC can be somewhat explosive if mixed with other chemicals...

Drilling and filling with neat (or minimally diluted) glyphosphate may also be successful, but may need more than one application.

Never buy glyphosphate from garden centres or ready diluted because it is so expensive. Go to your local farmers shop or search online - there are some good weedkiller sites - we get professional weedkiller products to do the nettles and bracken in the fields - unavailable/unaffordable through regular channels.

Usual disclaimer - don't smoke, drink or have unprotected $ex whilst swigging from a bottle of weedkiller - it's nasty stuff you know.