Gardening Question

[Kai]

Now, i have a vast and annoying garden (4 acres) - trying to keep it tidy is a full time job. However, i have one particular tree that has another plant growing through it - it's almost like a vine - its tough, but supple and has wrapped itself around the trunk, the branches - almost nowhere on the tree has been untouched, and it's being slowly smothered by whatever the hell this stuff is.

I attacked it with a set of pruning shears this morning, and cut almost all the ties to the main plant - in the hope that it'll die off but there are some tendrils that go right to the top of the tree, out of my reach. What the hell kind of plant is this? It grows insanely fast and gets EVERYWHERE - it's already starting to stifle one of the other bushes in the same garden spot.

 

[DreamerTheresa]

Hope you guys don't have kudzu there.

 

[Kai]

i've seen that stuff on tv....thankfully, no!

 

[lewis15498]

Got a photo Kai?

---------- Post added at 10:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------

Kudzu is evil, glad it doesnt show up around here. We deal with alot of bittersweet and wild grape vines around here. Unfortunately the grape vines rarely produce grapes, they're too busy killing anything they can get their hands on.

 

[staehlin180]

you did right by severing the ties to the main plant, now you just wait, it'll eventually die off. You can try and remove the main base of the vine where the roots are. I run a small landscaping business out here in CA, and I spent days removing english ivy from some oak trees. Your best bet is to give it a few weeks, and it'll be easier to pull the vines off of the tree.

-Eric

 

[Kai]

Here you go guys - some pictures of the tree, and the evil plant in question:

 

[lewis15498]

Nothing I recognize, but it does look like an agressive vine. Cutting all vines from the root base will kill it as Eric stated. If there is a spot where the vine has grown into the tree, cut it on both sides and leave it, so the tree will naturally push it off, or eat it. ripping it off prematurely will expose that part of the tree to insects, and the elements. If it gets pulled off and there is no bark on the tree behind it, its best to put some tree/bark sealer on it to protect the tree.

 

[Wade T]

Looks like what's commonly called American ivy or Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). It's probably an invasive weed over there.

 

[staehlin180]

^^^What Lewis said, don't rip or tear the vine off of the tree too forcefully, you might be able to cut it into pieces and remove it if you're handy with a chainsaw, but typically that kind of thing is much more easily accomplished after the part attached to the tree has died and dried out a bit. I would also highly recommend removing the offending vine by digging up/poisoning the stump/roots. From the looks of it it looks like it'll be a pain in the ass, and you'll definitely have to work at it, but it'll be worth it to kick back with a few beers when you're done and admire your hard work. :drink1:

 

[IJ.]

I have the solution

 

[DreamerTheresa]

I approve.

 

[Kai]

IJ - i used a log saw - it wasn't that thick

 

[IJ.]

You'd need a Chiansaw for the parent tree though

 

[SupraMario]

You'd need a Chiansaw for the parent tree though

And this is why aussie land is hot as fuck. LOL
Ian going around cutting down all the trees.

 

[IJ.]

And this is why aussie land is hot as fuck. LOL
Ian going around cutting down all the trees.

Gonna need a bigger Saw for the new place it's 12 acres :evil2:

 

[Kai]

The tree it's growing around is staying

The creepy vine is going to meet a new death at the hands of some homemade explosives

 

[lewis15498]

Gonna need a bigger Saw for the new place it's 12 acres :evil2:

Just picked up one of these last month. Stihl MS 391. Zero regrets.