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Boston Ivy problems,advice needed.

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
in Problem solving
I planted a Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata 'Veitchii') on the side of my house back in 2005.It grew slowly and in 2011 I cut it back to about half the height of the house wall.It still grew slowly until last year when it suddenly took off and reached the guttering and started onto the roof! I had it cut back by half towards the end of last summer (2017) but but within weeks it was back to the top.I had it cut back again this February and now in July 2018 it has once again reached the roof.The leaves are huge!
On reading up about it I find that it could possibly damage the house foundations so I am now considering removing it and replacing it with something else.The stem does not seem too large but is right up against the wall.
Should I take it out to save trouble in the future?
I read that the best way is the cut the stem at the bottom and let the whole thing die off,this way causes less damage apparently than trying to yank it off the wall.
Opinions please!  :)

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“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings

Posts

  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Bump!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    MP, I would take it down as I think any plant growing directly up a wall can affect brick work and I'm paranoid. (I worry about damp and ingress and mortar damage and breathing bricks and things). I also like an easy life and can't be bothered hacking something back every month. Life's too short for me. I've taken down my ivy and the wisteria.

    I don't know about killing off roots permanently but I have used stump killer a few times and it seems to work well. I cut slits in the stump and put the stuff in. I don't know if covering the stump with an old bucket or membrane would also help, cutting out the light.

    It's an advantage if you don't have suckers (?) sprouting all over the place, as with some ivy. 
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Thanks Fire!
    It does seem a pity to get rid of it as it does look nice but I too don't want the hassle of getting someone in regularly to keep it under control.leaving it may also cause structural damage,something I can do without.
    It doesn't seem to sucker so if I can kill off the main stem it should be OK.
    Will get to it this afternoon.
    Thinking now of putting some tension wires on the wall and get something to climb up those.
    It is a large south facing wall so there are many possibilities for something dramatic!!!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited July 2018
    Bit the bullet this afternoon and removed the Boston Ivy  :/
    Was a bit easier than I thought,tugged gently on the stems and they came away right up to the gutter.It was also just beginning to grow under the tiles on the front porch.Quite a relief to get it done as it was beginning to worry me.
    So hot working out there I must have lost a few pounds too!!!

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited July 2018
    Well done! Hot Work! A clear, south-facing palette. The wall is your lobster. .
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Thinking now of putting up tension wires for 'something' to grow up.
    South facing so maybe a Jasmine officinale or Campsis radicans,nothing that needs too much work other than a prune/tidy once a year.
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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