This document provides a 3-step process for killing invasive English ivy vines: 1. Prepare by identifying the target plant as English ivy and removing climbing vines first. 2. Cut the vines using loppers or saws to sever them from trees and structures. 3. Apply a herbicide like glyphosate or triclopyr to the freshly cut stumps within 5-10 minutes using a foam applicator to ensure absorption. Leave treated stumps for at least 4 months to fully kill the ivy.

1. How to Kill
Invasive
English Ivy
Vines:
3 Steps.

2. English ivy (Hedera helix) is highly invasive
in North America and other parts of the
world.

3. STEP 1:
PREPARE

4. Consult expert sources. Make sure the
target plant is English ivy.

5. Deal with climbing ivy vines first. They can
kill desirable plants.

6. An effective way to
treat English ivy vines
is to use the “cut
stump” method.

7. See our other presentation on killing
English ivy groundcover.

8. Things You Will Need:
• Tool to cut vines:
– Loppers.
– Saw for thick stems.
• Herbicide dispenser for cut stump treatments.
• Herbicide and its label.

9. Our large dispenser with extension nozzle
works great for big cut stump projects.

10. For little
projects use our
small dispenser.

11. Advantages of Green
Shoots® foam herbicide:
1. Precision.
2. Foam clings to target
surface.
3. Foam dries slowly
increasing absorption.

12. Commonly Available Herbicides
• Glyphosate concentrate: use 20% active
ingredient or greater.
• Triclopyr concentrate: use 8% active
ingredient or greater.
• Always read the herbicide label!

13. Time of Year
• Treat stump at almost any time of year.
• Avoid early spring.
• Fall and winter are the best times.

14. STEP 2:
CUT THE
VINES

15. Remove ring
of ivy around
the entire
tree trunk.

16. Loppers work
well for
smaller vines.

17. Try to avoid
damaging the
bark of the
tree.

18. Be sure to
sever all ivy
vines.

19. Do not try to
remove vines
from upper
part of tree.
Vine tops will
die on their
own.

20. STEP 3:
APPLY THE
HERBICIDE

21. For the herbicide to
work best, stumps
must be freshly cut.
(Treat within 5 to 10
minutes of cutting).

22. Recut stumps if
necessary.

23. Cut stumps as
close to the
ground as
possible.
2 to 5 inches.

24. NOT so close to
ground that
dirt can
contaminate cut.
1 inch.

25. Immediately
after
cutting,
treat the
stump face.

26. Apply foam to
perimeter of
stump where live
inner bark is
located.

27. Treat all
stumps! Un-
treated ones
will quickly re-
sprout.

28. Avoid contacting desirable plants with
Herbicide. For example, damaged tree bark can
allow herbicide to enter tree’s system.

29. Leave treated
stumps in place
for at least 4
months.

30. Kill nearby English ivy groundcover
before it climbs trees and other structures.

31. See our other presentation on killing
English ivy groundcover.

32. More Information
• Green Shoots® www.greenshootsonline.com
• Contact: john@greenshootsonline.com
• Search: green shoots foam herbicide

33. Other Resources
• DiTomaso et al., Weed Control – English Ivy
2013.
• Yang et al., English Ivy Control 2013.
• Conservation Company, Control Methods of
English Ivy 2010.