QuestionI've heard that ivy planted under pine trees and allowed to climb into the trees will eventually cause the tree to die. Could you please verify that or is that a misconception?
AnswerEnglish ivy as well as other ivy vine type plants will cause at the least growth loss to the tree and can cause the death of the tree if it is allowed to grow into the crown foliage of the tree. The vines will smother the leaves blocking the light thus killing the leaves and in some cases the weight of the vines will bend smaller trees over. Ivy and trees are not compatible unless you make it a point to keep the vines from growing up the trunk. It is not a good idea to plant ivy around the tree and let it grow up the trunk.
