# How to remove ivy **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 22, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615 "2016-08-22T11:48:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/1 "2016-08-22T11:48:35Z")
Anyone who has ever tried to remove ivy knows how difficult it can be. I’ve got a patch growing next to the house I’d really like to eradicate, so I went to Walmart to see if they had any plutonium available for that purpose. As luck would have it, they were completely out.:mad: What other sure-fire ways are there to permanently get rid of ivy? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/2 "2016-08-22T12:01:08Z")
This seems to be pretty comprehensive. > **[4 Ways to Remove an Ivy Plant - wikiHow](https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-Ivy-Plant)** > > Ivy plants can quickly overrun gardens, roadsides, trees and even house walls. Many ivy plants are invasive in some climates, including the Hedera helix (English ivy) cultivars "Pittsburgh," "Star," and "Baltica," and the related species... ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/3 "2016-08-22T16:59:57Z")
Here we are in the future and plutonium STILL isn’t available at every corner drug store. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/4 "2016-08-22T17:35:47Z")
I have found that fire works pretty well at removing unwanted ivy (is there any other kind?), but if it is near your house you may want to try some other option. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/5 "2016-08-22T21:02:07Z")
Plutonium unavailable for removing ivy? Shucks. And I had such ambitions. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/6 "2016-08-22T21:12:01Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > This seems to be pretty comprehensive. > > [4 Ways to Remove an Ivy Plant - wikiHow Life](http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-Ivy-Plant) Those are some of the most unhelpful illustrations I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/7 "2016-08-22T22:01:07Z")
Wait for a warm day at least in the 70s, then spray the leaves liberally with Roundup. It will take awhile, but eventually, the killer is drawn to the roots and kills the plant. Worked well for the fucking bamboo in the back yard. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/8 "2016-08-22T22:20:59Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Wait for a warm day at least in the 70s, then spray the leaves liberally with Roundup. It will take awhile, but eventually, the killer is drawn to the roots and kills the plant. Worked well for the fucking bamboo in the back yard. Or any OTHER kind of bamboo. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/9 "2016-08-22T22:37:05Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Those are some of the most unhelpful illustrations I’ve ever seen. Worthless. Why did they even bother with pictures? ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/10 "2016-08-22T22:43:28Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I have found that fire works pretty well at removing unwanted ivy (is there any other kind?), but if it is near your house you may want to try some other option. I don’t know from experience (thank goodness), but I’ve always heard you do NOT want to breathe in those fumes. I would not want to be within two football fields of that fire. Ivy in your lungs sounds like some very bad business. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/11 "2016-08-22T22:55:10Z")
> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#): > > I don’t know from experience (thank goodness), but I’ve always heard you do NOT want to breathe in those fumes. I would not want to be within two football fields of that fire. Ivy in your lungs sounds like some very bad business. It could be worse. It could be tires instead of ivy. Slightly more seriously–what does a burning rubber plant smell like? We have a rubber plant in our front yard. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2016, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/12 "2016-08-22T23:06:42Z")
That “Ways to Remove an Ivy Plant” page says: > [@](#): > > If you find that the aforementioned steps aren’t enough to remove all the ivy from your structure, you have two more options: you can use a weed killer, or you can **burn off the ivy**. And then a little later it says > [@](#): > > **Never burn the ivy**. You risk weeks in the hospital for yourself or anyone unfortunate enough to be exposed to the smoke. 😕 –Mark ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/13 "2016-08-24T18:37:09Z")
I had good luck getting rid of a hearty Oregon grape plant by cutting out the plant and then painting the cuts ends with undiluted Roundup. I used a little glass dish and a small cheap paint brush from the dollar store. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/14 "2016-08-24T20:10:17Z")
That’s not the right way to use Roundup. Roundup is absorbed through the leaves, while the plant is growing. If you cut off the leaves and apply it to the stem, it won’t be absorbed. Your cutting off the leaves probably killed the plant; the Roundup was irrelevant. –Mark ---
**Author:** ![muttrox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a8b319/32.png) [@muttrox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muttrox)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/15 "2016-08-24T20:19:03Z")
I was told (can someone confirm) that the leaves of ivy ‘breathe’ through their undersides. Therefore, you should try and rake the leaves back or something to expose those, and get the Roundup on the underside. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/16 "2016-08-24T20:26:00Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Worthless. Why did they even bother with pictures? I learned that if I touch an unidentifiable blob of green stuff, I wear brown gloves. Thanks WikiHow! ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/17 "2016-08-24T20:52:33Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > That’s not the right way to use Roundup. Roundup is absorbed through the leaves, while the plant is growing. If you cut off the leaves and apply it to the stem, it won’t be absorbed. Your cutting off the leaves probably killed the plant; the Roundup was irrelevant. Umm, this is quite standard advice. For large or old stumps, there is even a [version](http://www.roundup-garden.com/weedkilling-products/tree-stump-root-killer) of Roundup for killing stumps. Full strength on freshly cut stumps works well. The user has to be well gloved, etc., and throw out the brush in a bag afterwards, etc. Older’/bigger stumps, drill some holes in it first. This is _extremely_ well known advice in vegetation removal. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/18 "2016-08-24T21:07:20Z")
Whether it’s well known or not, it’s not what the manufacturer recommends. They say to spray Roundup on the leaves. [How do I properly apply Roundup](http://www.roundup.com/smg/goART3/Howto/how-and-where-to-apply-roundup-brand-products%3F-faqs-roundup/27800032?locale=en_US) > [@](#): > > If you’re using Roundup® Weed & Grass Killer, spray the weeds on the leaves, not the soil. The formula enters the plant’s system via the leaves and travels through the plant’s circulatory system to the roots. Nevertheless, I do see a lot of advice from other places on the net that say it will be absorbed through stems, but more slowly than if applied to the leaves. It has to be applied to photosynthesizing tissue, which is more likely to be found in the leaves than in the stems. –Mark ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/19 "2016-08-24T21:22:15Z")
Glyphospate or Roundup is good stuff, it’s not supposed to persist in the soil, absorbed through leaves. Be careful, it will kill anything it touches, it’s not a selective herbicide. If you get some on a plant you don’t want to kill wash it off right away. Don’t spray on windy days. You should see the offending plant start to wilt and die within a day or two. I bought a quart of concentrate probably ten years ago, it’s mixed 3oz to the gallon with water and a little dish soap. Lasts a long time for the suburbanites in our ricky ticky homes. I just mixed up the last batch, time to buy more before it’s banned. The price tag was $27.75 I noticed. Use in a pump sprayer or old windex bottle etc. I just nuked some patches of fescue that has invaded and will replant with bluegrass. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2016, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615/20 "2016-08-24T21:27:47Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Whether it’s well known or not, it’s not what the manufacturer recommends. They say to spray Roundup on the leaves. No, they do not. They say that when using Roundup Weed & Grass Killer, and only that specific formulation, and when applying as a spray, and only as a spray, to apply to the leaves. In contrast the manufacturer recommends [cutting close to the ground and immediately wetting the cut surface using spray, swab, or paint brush](http://www.roundup.com.au/faqs/how-much-roundup-do-i-need-to-kill-a-tree-stump-or-bamboo) for other formulations and other application methods > [@](#): > > Nevertheless, I do see a lot of advice from other places on the net that say it will be absorbed through stems… If by “other places on the net” you mean [the extension division of every major university and every state and national agriculture department in the western world.](https://www.google.com/search?q=roundup+glyposate+%22cut+stump%22&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b&gfe_rd=cr&ei=jg6-V9qNC8Xr8AfD_4AQ) These aren’t random, obscure sources. They are the premier sources of information for herbicide application worldwide, and they \*all \*disagree with what you are saying. > [@](#): > > It has to be applied to photosynthesizing tissue, which is more likely to be found in the leaves than in the stems. No, sorry, that is just flat out wrong. Glyphosate doesn’t target photosyntheic systems and it can be applied to any live tissue and work equally well. In fact it works \*better \*if it can be directly applied to the roots, but that is rarely practical. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-remove-ivy/763615.md?page=2)