Vines often grow rapidly and can quickly take over trees, whether they were planted intentionally or they are poisonous vines, such as poison oak. If left to grow, ground vines can grow into tree canopies and suffocate the tree. While herbicides kill vines and other plants, they may also harm trees. Even a selective herbicide, such as triclopyr, is absorbed through vine roots into the soil and takes up to 90 days to break down, during which time it can cause significant harm to trees, especially young trees.
Cut the vines at the base of the tree, at about ankle height, with hand pruning shears. Cut larger vines with hand loppers or a pruning saw.
Cut the vines attached to the tree at shoulder height with hand pruning shears. Cut the larger vines with hand loppers or a pruning saw. In many cases, ground vines grow from the ground and up tree trunks.
Spray water onto the ground about 6 feet in diameter around the base of the tree. Water the soil deeply and allow to soak overnight. Saturating the soil around the base of the tree softens the soil and makes it easier to pull out vines by hand.
Pull the vines from the ground around the tree base by hand. Grab the vines at the base and pull upward to remove the vine roots from the soil.
Dig up stubborn vine roots from the soil with a shovel. Use extra caution when digging around the base of the tree so you don't cut or damage the tree roots.
Allow the vines that are attached to the tree between the cuts to completely die. It's easier to remove the vines from the tree when they are dead. Any vines above the shoulder-height cuts will die off after a few days and aren't as securely attached as when they are alive.
Pry the vines from the tree bark gently, using a flat tipped screwdriver wrapped with a cloth or the blade of the hand pruning shears. Slip the tip of the screwdriver or the pruning shear blades between the vine and tree bark to loosen the vine tendrils from the tree.
Pull the vines from the tree gently, working a few inches at a time to prevent damaging the tree bark. Pull the vines from the around the tree between the cuts until you have removed all the vines from the tree. Allow overhead vines to die off and decay or fall on their own because you risk pulling dead tree branches out of the tree if you tug on the vines.
Place the vines in a compost pile or put poisonous vines in a garbage bag and dispose of them with your regular household garbage.
Spread a 3-inch layer of mulch 6 feet in diameter around the base of the tree where you pulled up the vines. Keep the mulch 3 inches away from the trunk of the tree to prevent insect and rodent infestations. Mulching prevents the vines from reestablishing themselves around the tree. Alternatively, you can sow grass seed or lay sod in the bare area to crowd out the area and restrict vine growth.
Check around the base of the tree periodically after removing the vines and pull out any new vine growth. If you've removed the vine roots from the soil, there is less chance of vines reestablishing in the area.
- Wear protective clothing to prevent skin contact with poisonous vines.
- When working on a slope, pull the vines down the slope to allow gravity to help you.
- Do not pull overhead vines from the tree, vines may be wrapped around broken branches and hornets' nests.
- Friends of Sligo Creek: Removing Ivy
- Inside Bainbridge: Earth Day Ivy Removal 101: Rip It, Rip It Good
- Ivy Out: How To Remove English Ivy
- Virginia Master Gardeners Association: Vines and Trees
- Portland Parks and Recreation: Why We Remove English Ivy from Natural Areas
- Oregon State University National Pesticide Information Center: Triclopyr
- Siri Stafford/Lifesize/Getty Images