If you visit the arboretum in Springfield, watch out for the new ivy near the entrance

I was there yesterday and noticed they planted some aggressive English ivy along the old stone wall. It's already starting to climb up the back of those rare magnolia trees. Has anyone else seen this problem spreading?

3 comments

3 Comments

fox.jesse1mo ago

wait, english ivy is already climbing those magnolia trees? that's crazy, they planted it like what, maybe a month ago? i swear @park.iris has been saying this would happen since day one and i thought they were being dramatic. but yeah, that stuff moves fast and it's gonna be a nightmare to pull off the bark once it really gets a grip. the staff there probably thought it was just gonna be some pretty green stuff, not a vine that kills trees and crumbles walls.

park.iris2mo ago

i heard from a local gardener that english ivy is basically a nightmare once it gets established. it can choke out trees and even damage old brickwork and walls over time. the arboretum staff probably thought it would look nice but they might regret it in a few years. there's a reason a lot of places are trying to rip that stuff out and replace it with native groundcovers. if they wanted something that climbs that wall there are way better choices that won't take over the whole place.

holly_williams2mo ago

Didn't someone write a whole article about how ivy basically holds moisture against bricks and causes them to crumble over time? That's what I heard anyway. @park.iris is right, the arboretum might be setting themselves up for a headache down the road.