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Identify and remove climbing plant

Chrislawrie76Chrislawrie76 Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Can anyone identify the precise plant type that is climbing up the house? Can you also tell me how much damage this is likely to have done / be doing to the house? I am fairly sure I require to remove this can you tell me the best way to go about this without causing extensive damage to the house wall, drains etc. My guess is a Virginia Creeper but just a guess from some google browsing, identifying the exact plan would be useful. What is this likely to look like once removed and what work would require done to the house front?


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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yes that looks like Parthenocissus quinquefolia aka Virginia Creeper. To kill it cut through the base of the main stem and treat with stump killer. It doesn’t look as if it’s been there too long and shouldn’t be too difficult to remove by gently pulling and easing it away from the wall … hopefully it’ll come away without lifting the render … that mainly depends on the initial condition of the wall but it looks fairly good. You’ll probably be left with some of the little adventitious roots (like suckers) that the vine clings to the wall with, but they’re not as tenacious as ivy ones and should ‘weather off’ in a relatively short period. It doesn’t look as if it’s been there long enough to damage the window frames or get under the soffits. I think most of that growth is fairly recent and quite soft so should come away quite easily.

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





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    when you do cut it at the base, leave it to wilt for a week or two.  That will look unsightly but will also weaken its hold so when you do pull it off it comes away easily without bringing any render with it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Chrislawrie76Chrislawrie76 Posts: 9
    Thanks for the replies.

    This photo is recent last few weeks but here are two from google maps from May 22 and November 21. How do these look? Is it best to cut the base now and then leave til winter when al the leaves have fallen off before getting someone to remove the remaining vines? Unfortunately google maps doesn't go back very far so dont know how long its been there. From the November picture does it look like there will be any major damage to the walls caused and should it come away ok after being left a while?

    May 2022


    November 2021

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I don't think you have too much to worry about, although as previously mentioned it does depend on the condition of the render. 
    They can make a huge amount of growth in a few months as can be seen from the photos of May and July . It looks like it was planned comparatively recently in my opinion,  there's not that much growth on the November 21 photo so l'm guessing it was planted earlier that year (just a guess though).
    Cut the base now to prevent any further growth. I take it you won't be climbing any ladders to peel it away ?
  • Chrislawrie76Chrislawrie76 Posts: 9
    edited July 2022
    I guess I'll have to get a gardener to go up a ladder to peel it away. Is it best to cut the base then leave til all the leaves fall off again?
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Which way do the windows down open? You might be able to lean out a little and pull it off.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Chrislawrie76Chrislawrie76 Posts: 9
    What sort of stump killer is best for the base?
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with the others ... if the render is at all reasonable then that won't be too much trouble at all ... cut through the main stem at the base now ... you could make two cuts and remove a section so you can get at the stump ... and treat with SBK stump killer, available from most garden centres and DIY stores etc ... https://www.gardenworld.co.uk/product/sbk-tree-stump-killer/ ... according to the instructions of course.  
     :) 


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





  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    most of it should just come off by pulling away the stems at the base and then tugging them to get the rest - assuming you do let it wilt a while first.

    As it's young, you may be able to dig out the roots - water well first to make it easier - or else just keep snipping off any new growth till the roots give up and die too.  No need for chemicals.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited July 2022
    I have known them die at the base without the use of chemicals,  it did take a couple of years. You may not want to do this but you could cover the root with some plastic such as a folded black bin bag with mulch over the top to stop the light. This should speed up the process.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
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