City of Lake Forest Park News Release

What's the matter with ivy?

Sometimes when you drive down our streets you can see trees burdened with english ivy. There are several issues with english ivy on trees. It can make the trees unstable. The ivy leaves can act as sails in a windstorm and the weight of the ivy is more than the root system is intended to hold.

Ivy is not native and has no natural predators. English ivy does not provide a significant food for native wildlife, but does provide habitat for rats.

If ivy is growing on trees you should remove it as best you can. The Washington Native Plant society suggests, “Depending on the thickness of the vines, use either loppers or a pruning saw to cut through each vine at shoulder height and at ankle height. Be careful not to wound the bark of the tree when cutting the ivy vines. Strip the ivy away from the tree between the two cuts (some vines may be so big that you will need to pry them away from the tree). Be careful not to damage the bark.” For more information on ivy removal, go to http://www.ivyout.org/ivyremove.html.

What can you do? Do not plant ivy. Remove ivy, especially from vertical surfaces where it seeds and is spread further by birds. Remove ivy from your yard. Join community out-reach and volunteer-based removal work parties:

Over this year the Mayor will be providing residents with resources and opportunities to remove invasive weeds. If you would like to join a group of citizens interested in planning and implementing this project, please contact the Mayor at MayorDave @ cityoflfp.com.