Lee Gilliam identifies and removes invasive plants in a homeowner’s garden. With the help of an expert arborists, he removes a tree overrun with ivy.
Identify the Issue
If you have an area of the yard that seems to be struggling despite plenty of plant life, there could be an invasive species or an overly aggressive plant choking the rest of the plants. In this video, Lee identifies two issues: the invasive species known as Asian bittersweet and the native-but-aggressive English ivy.
Consider the Trees
Be sure to check the trees in the area, as well. Depending on the area, wet seasons can lead to fungal growth and diseases that prevent plants or trees from thriving. Aggressive ivy can also choke these plants. In some cases, it may be a good idea to call in an arborist.
If the arborist believes the tree is beyond saving, they’ll recommend removing it. Be sure to have the stump ground to ensure that you can replant in the area. Save some of the stump mulch, as well.
Remove the Ivy
To get rid of ivy, start by cutting back the vines of the overly aggressive plants and remove them from the area. In some cases, pulling hard on the vines may break them and speed up the process.
Once the vines are removed, use a garden fork to dig up the roots. Dig around the roots until you’re able to pull the rest of the plant out of the ground.
Note: Be sure to wear work gloves to protect your hands. Also, make sure that any vines that you’ll be touching aren’t poison ivy (three leaves, and each leaf has a notch). If there are any questions, call a professional.
Replant
If your yard isn’t as private as it used to be with the trees and vines gone, consider planting new vegetation. For a permanent solution, plant PMJ rhododendrons in the space. In 2-3 years, they’ll be large enough to block the view.
When planting, be sure to dig a hole that is as deep as the pot and twice as wide. Scratch the edges of the root ball with a garden fork to break up the roots and promote growth. Finally, place the plants in the hole and refill, using your foot to press the soil back into the hole. Spread the stump mulch underneath to retain moisture.
Resources
Lee identifies 2 invasive species of plants inhabiting the homeowners yard:
- English Ivy—Often confused for an invasive species, but is native to New England. However, if not properly maintained, it can become problematic.
- Asian Bittersweet—An invasive species that is very aggressive and quick to overtake native plants and strangle stems and trunks.
Wearing garden gloves, Lee and the homeowner remove the asian bittersweet by pulling them as well as digging it out from the roots. They also trimmed the english ivy back using pruning shears and loppers.
The arborist, Brandon from Maltby and Company, identifies a blue spruce and notes that is diseased. It has needlecast—a fungal disease specific to spruce trees. Because the tree is too sick to save, Brandon and his team remove the tree and use a stump grinder to grind and remove the stump.
Lee installs PMJ Rhododendrons where the tree was removed to still give the homeowner a level of privacy.