Q: Will ivy growing up a tree kill the tree?

A: English ivy is not a parasite, so it does not suck sap from a tree. Instead, it intercepts sunlight before it hits the tree leaves. Once ivy grows along the upper branches of a tree, it shades out the lower limbs. In addition, ivy adds extra weight to the tree during rainstorms or ice storms. Further, the vine leaves can act as a sail in strong winds. For these reasons I do not recommend you let ivy grow up a tree. Clip the vine close to the ground and pull it back three feet from the base of the tree. Although the ivy leaves in the tree will stay green for weeks, they will eventually turn brown and fall off.