Frequently asked questions

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How do you remove the ivy?

We don't rip the ivy down off the tree — pulling can tear bark and damage the tree. Instead, we cut the vines at the bottom and let the ivy up in the canopy die and fall away on its own over the following months.

The basic steps a volunteer follows:

Find every ivy stem climbing the trunk that reaches down to the ground.
On each of those stems, carefully cut out a roughly one-foot (1') long section — making two cuts and removing the chunk — all the way around the trunk, so no stem is left connecting the roots to the vines above.
Leave the upper ivy in place. Cut off from its roots, it slowly dies and loosens over time.
Optionally, pull the rooted ivy back a few feet from the base of the tree to slow it from re-climbing.

It's quick, low-impact, and gives the tree room to recover — at no cost to the property owner.

Why does ivy need to be removed?

English ivy adds weight that makes trees more likely to fall, hides decay and pests, and competes for water and light. Over years it can kill even a large, healthy tree.