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Ivy on fence

Flowerpower26Flowerpower26 Posts: 5
edited June 2022 in Problem solving
Hello all

We've recently moved to a property which had ivy growing on a border fence on both sides. We decided we would like to remove the ivy on our side of the fence. In doing so we have uncovered a very unsightly fence, that is barely holding up. Also the weight of the ivy on my neighbours side is causing the very fragile fence to buldge onto our side. 

My question is what to do in such a scenario? In my ideal world my neighbour would also remove her ivy, fence would be replaced and no future ivy grown on either side. However I know that my neighbour likes the ivy, so I'm guessing will be reluctant to take it down. What's the norm in this type of situation? I haven't checked my deeds but by my neighbours own admission the fence is theirs. I have considered erecting my own fence parallel to my neighbours but I'm not sure this is a solution as the ivy will grow in the gap between the two and I won't be able to access it to keep on top of it.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what to do? (Apart from grow back the ivy to cover the fence!)

Thanks in advance:)
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Posts

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    'Double' fences will collect detritus between them, causing rot and therefore damage.  I also feel that, as the 'new kids on the block', your attempt to change things could be resented.  At least for the time being, your final solution of allowing what you've removed to regrow would be favourite.  If relations warm, you might raise the issue again.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    If it's the neighbour's fence, you'd have to negotiate with them, or put in a new fence on your side to the inside. What you then do, would be your decision. 
    I have ivy on a section of my fence, but it is my fence. It's a great source of food for birds, and the flowers are also great for pollinating insects. :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Arthur1Arthur1 Posts: 542
    I am sure you know this and many people will repeat it. Ivy is just so good for wildlife, nesting birds,  insects looking for nectar etc, that it seems really sad to remove it. The urge to tidy our homes deprives other creatures of theirs.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2022
    I would let the ivy clothe your side of the fence, but keep it clipped close … so that it looks like a smart formal green hedge … one day the fence will collapse with the weight of the ivy on the neighbours’ side and they will have to replace it …. but most importantly it won’t be your fault and there will be no need for acrimony on either side … good neighbourly relations are worth their weight in gold. 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Some years ago I had the same situation.
    Several old fence panels at the end of my garden thick with ivy causing the old panels to sag and bulge.
    Some was growing from my side and some from the lady who lives behind me.
    I killed the ivy on my side and carefully removed it when it was dead.
    Within a few weeks one panel collapsed into my garden due to the weight of the ivy on one side only.
    They were her panels and they were promptly replaced.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • Flowerpower26Flowerpower26 Posts: 5
    Thanks all for your comments. You've given me lots to consider:)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited June 2022
    I had this exact scenario a few years ago. I really liked my ivy as it was a huge, green, wildy wall. Long-story-short, I would recommend letting the ivy grow back over the fence- encourage it. There may be very little fence underneath it and the ivy is keeping the whole thing up. Cutting it back will make the whole thing bulge even more. Could you support the fence from your side. I wouldn't support the idea of a double fence in this scenario.

    Depending on how big and long is the fence and how old the ivy, it can a massive, expensive and dirty job to remove the whole thing and take it away. If it really bugs you, you could consider splitting the cost of a new fence and old fence/ivy removal or offering to pay for the whole thing. It depends how the neighbour feels. If she really likes the ivy, she may want to plant more and have a new ivy hedge.

    A NDN on one side of me doesn't really give a toss about gardening or fences so I paid for his old, weak, manky, wonky, shonky fences (which drove me crazy for eight years) to be removed and strong ones to put in. I can grow roses on my side, he gets a good new fence, everyone's happy. A  lot of neighbours in my area split costs of fences these days rather than worrying about whose fence is legally whose.

    My full story  (with pics) is here.

  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    I have a fence covered with ivy. Solid as a rock.  The fence that is devoid of ivy is rotting and will need replacing in the next 12 to 18 months. The fence is the same age (+25 years).  I think the ivy has saved the fence which it covered however with no ivy it’s open to the elements and rots.  I dare say if I tried to now grow ivy up the rotting fence it will fall down.  Of course it would, and that’s why people falsely believe ivy pulls down fences.  Nah…ivy pulls down ROTTEN fences. If it wasn’t rotten, broken or damaged some way in the first place, it won’t.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I have Ivy growing on a wall and I am sure it has protected it over the years. Rain water has run off the leaves and the bricks may have been protected from frost. I have also grown Ivy on a fence, it is the weight that usually causes the fence to break.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I have Ivy growing on a wall and I am sure it has protected it over the years. Rain water has run off the leaves and the bricks may have been protected from frost. I have also grown Ivy on a fence, it is the weight that usually causes the fence to break.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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