“They grow much faster than bamboo. Take care or they’ll come after you.”
A fear-inducing message reads across the crystal ball, shortly after vines erupt from every corner and crevice. Swiftly changing the landscape of a once pristine mansion, vines engulf the walls and furniture looking for any and every foothold available to keep spreading. This scene from the 1995 movie Jumanji incites a feeling of impending doom when faced with a fast-growing plant invader, reminiscent of what faces our native plants as they fight against the invasive English Ivy.
English Ivy is a non-native, invasive species classified as a class C noxious weed in Washington. Class C weeds are widespread across Washington which is why it comes as no surprise that English Ivy has been given this classification. Along a scenic drive, or hiking your favorite trail, you have likely seen their characteristic dark-green waxy leaves climbing their way up a tree. The threat that these quick-growing vines pose is through creating competition for nutrients with native plants, particularly trees. The vines of English Ivy climb trees, wrapping around their trunks, blocking out sunlight. As the ivy continues to grow, up to 100 feet tall, the tree cannot survive and will topple. Left uncontrolled, the ivy will continue to spread, taking down trees and preventing native understory plants from growing, creating an invasive monoculture.
In the face of the invasive threats of English Ivy, what weapons do we have in our arsenal? For one example, I’ll turn back to our imperiled friends in Jumanji. Robin William’s character found a solution to the imminent danger facing his young companion caught in the viney clutches of a monster; he used a sword and chopped the menacing vines which sent the carnivorous plant packing. Our approach to management is not as different from this scene as you might think. Without the need for chemicals, cutting the vines near their base has proven to be an effective manual method to manage the ivy and protect the trees that they seek to suffocate. Once they are cut, the vines will wilt and die off. The remainder of the process consists of pulling out the remainder of the intruder. The best time to do so is between fall and spring, when the moist soil makes it easier to remove the plant. Unfortunately the task isn’t done yet. Finally the vines that are pulled need to be kept away from soil to prevent them from rerooting and start the cycle anew. Doing so can be as simple as compiling them on a tarp to dry out and die completely.
There are already efforts to control the spread of English Ivy put on by local volunteer groups and individuals. If you want to get involved or learn more about the fight against invasive species contact your local Conservation District!
Resources
Washington Department of Agriculture
Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
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