Ivy

[Greeney]

We are about to move into our farmhouse (well caravan) that is covered in Ivy, the house hasnt been used since the early 80s. it also has huge amounts of brambles and the odd young tree. As a garden novice is there any better way to destroy ivy over a house other than just cutting it down and how hard will it be getting rid of about 1/2 acre of 4ft high brambles.
We thought initially round-up or stronger ZBK
Any help greatly received

[Iceni]

>We are about to move into
>our farmhouse (well caravan) that
>is covered in Ivy, the
>house hasnt been used since
>the early 80s. it also
>has huge amounts of brambles
>and the odd young tree.
>As a garden novice is
>there any better way to
>destroy ivy over a house
>other than just cutting it
>down and how hard will
>it be getting rid of
>about 1/2 acre of 4ft
>high brambles.
>We thought initially round-up or stronger
>ZBK
>Any help greatly received

You have to be careful when you remove ivy or you have no building left. The trick it to find the stem, cut it right through as near the ground as possible and leave the ivy to die and fall off naturally, pulling it off will probably include stones and bits of wall as the roots go in everywhere. The next lot of growth from the base you spray. This does work, we have used it on some old trees and after quite some time all the ivy is brown and bits are falling off.

Brambles, cut back remove and burn (when allowed in your area), treat with roundup (extra strength) on all new shoots when they are about a foot high. I find old brambles are so strong that spraying them is a waste of time.

It all took a few years to grow so it will take some time to remove - just take it easily, who knows what wondeful plants may be under the ivy.

Di
http://www.iceni-it.co.uk