Ivy on trees? ? ?

 We have climbing ivy which pretty much covers a tree -- up to 40 feet or so.
Does this ever endanger the tree?

Also, I've planted a Virginia creeper at the base of the same tree, and it's
starting to climb. Does the Virginia creeper ever muscle out the ivy, or
vice-versa?

 

Climbing vines can eventually smother a tree by preventing new growth, and
some are parasitic, they actually root into the tree using it as a host,
robbing it of nutrients.  Why would you let vines climb up 40 feet... there
is nothing more ugly in a landscape than a tree covered with vines.

 On Thu, 07 May 2009 12:14:49 GMT, "brooklyn1"


A wooded area I take walks at has a section of trees covered with
winter creeper. They remind me of old bearded men.  I kind of like it.
(Although not allowed 40 ft in my yard.)

Kate - I have taken clippers to another walking area to free the pines

 they will kill the tree

 Ray wrote:

Ivy kills by shading out the crown of a tree, over time.  Virginia
creeper will not, it has less of a crown requirement. Neither are
parasitic, just taking advantage of height.

I would get rid of the ivy and have done so in my little patch of the world.