Killing Vines (Black Diamond) Traditional Cache

These vines obviously killed this tree by smothering it. To the point where I couldn’t make out what kind of tree it once was. The Virginia Creeper came first, then the Grape Vine used that as host. Please, BYOP.

Do not allow vines, especially ivy, to climb a tree. Just as ivy on a house can do untold damage, it can kill a tree.

This by CHUCK LIPPI, Consulting Arborist:

It's not a good idea to let vines climb into your trees

Generally, letting vines grow on trees is not a good idea. The main problem I have with vines on trees is the vine can hide any structural hazard such as a canker or decayed area that might exist in the tree trunk.

Left covered or unnoticed, a canker or decayed area is a weak spot that could cause the trunk or branch to break at that point causing personal injury or damage to property.

There are two types of climbing vines -- the vines that grow straight up the trunk and the vines that circle the trunk as they climb.

Invasive Asian bittersweet vine will wrap itself around healthy trees until it chokes them. Fall is a good time to kill it.

Even more dramatic is this view of a bittersweet vine stretching across multiple trees along the Red Trail near Farm Brook Reservoir.

The Wisteria vines were loaded with flower buds so I am sure it will be spectacular in bloom, but it is killing the trees it is on. Wisteria is a tough, tenacious vine that needs to be relegated to a non-living structure of a fence, arbor or trellis. Allowed to grow on trees it will girdle and kill them.

Circling vines such as wisteria can wrap so tightly around the trunk that the vine stems can strangle or girdle a tree over time as the trunk attempts to expand through normal growth. Vines that grow straight up the trunk will not girdle a tree.

Shading, a bigger problem than girdling, can occur with both types of climbing vines.

Invasive grapevine can grow to the top of large trees, completely smothering the tree & killing the tree. Remove the vine by cutting down the stems & digging up the roots. Pull the remaining vine off the tree.

Shading occurs when the vine foliage overtakes the tree foliage and begins to shade and crowd out the tree foliage. Aggressive vines can cause tree decline and eventual death. Some of the more aggressive exotic vines are: confederate jasmine, yellow jessamine, English ivy, ficus and wisteria.

Some native aggressive vines are wild grape and Virginia creeper that can overwhelm a tree if left unchecked.

And finally some invasive or poisonous vines found growing on trees are: Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), earleaf greenbrier (Smilax auriculata) a native, and poison ivy, also a native. The latter three vines should be removed. Take precautions including protective clothing if you are trying to remove poison ivy.

Vines on an older tree are a source of competition for the tree roots. A young vigorous tree is better able to compete for moisture and nutrients with surrounding plants than a mature tree. Also, in my opinion a healthy tree looks good and doesn't need a bunch of vines for decoration.

But, some people like the look of vines on their trees and do not want to remove them. If that is the case, they can clip the vines at the base once or twice a year causing the upper portion of the vine to dieback. New vines will grow from the pruning cut for the next growing season. This way, the vines will not grow into the upper canopy and the vines will be more or less kept in check.

There are two ways to kill vines. The first, a non-chemical method, is to cut the vines off near the ground. When the vines sprout again, cut them again and again and again. It will take persistence on your part, but the vine without leaves will gradually run out of stored energy and die. Some vines like smilex have large tubers which store lots of energy and will continue to sprout for some time. If you decide to dig up the tuber, be very careful that you do not damage or cut large tree roots in the process.

The second removal method involves the use of glyphosate concentrate (Roundup or generic equivalent).

Obtain a concentrated form of the chemical which normally is diluted with water before use. But do not dilute the glyphosate with water. Cut the vine and immediately paint the vine stub end protruding from the ground with the concentrated glyphosate. The chemical is taken into the roots and will hasten the decline of the vine. You may have to repeat the process one or two more times on large, stubborn vines.

As always, follow the label instructions of the product. There is little research indicating that glyphosate can be translocated across root membranes from the vine roots to adjacent intertwined tree roots.

But, some anecdotal evidence exists.

If you are concerned about damaging a tree because of the size and number of vines to be cut and treated with glyphosate, use the non-chemical cutting method to get rid of the vine.

This coarse, hairy growth on the trunk of the White Ash is a mature Poison Ivy vine.  As indicated by the watch, the vine can easily grow to the size of a man's wrist.  The "hairs" allow the vine to grab onto the bark and grow up to the tops of even tall trees.  Note that all parts of the vine contain urushiol, including the hairs. Using a chain saw to cut down such a tree produces flying poisonous sawdust.

The picture above and comments are from this NY gov. website. It is very informative and helpful in poison Ivy identification

<https://www.dot.ny.gov/dangerous-plants/poison-ivy>

What Kind of Vines Can Kill a Bush?

Invasive Species: Tree Killing Ivy.

English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) often evokes images of buildings covered in green. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9 and is frequently planted in landscapes. It can climb as high as 50 feet and has such prolific growth that it can choke out all other plants, even tall trees. It has been listed as an invasive plant in 18 states and the District of Columbia and cannot be legally planted in these states.

Periwinkle

Periwinkle (Vinca), also called myrtle, is a commonly planted ornamental that thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8. It is often planted for the lavender blue flowers, for erosion control, to deter deer grazing or to control weeds. Periwinkle will eliminate weeds but will also choke out grass and bushes. It can become invasive and spread to surrounding areas. Plant periwinkle carefully as it is hard to remove. It is also prohibited in many areas due to its ability to adapt to an environment.

Clematis

The prolific flowers of the clematis (family Clematis) bloom throughout the summer and thrive in USDA zones 3 through 10. Their leaf stalks send out tendrils, which twine and hold on to any support available to grow upward. The tendrils will draw the clematis further into bushes as they find more stems, taking over the bush. Clematis has a reputation for being difficult to grow and are not invasive the way English ivy and periwinkle can be, but you should still plant clematis away from shrubs.

Grapes

Ornamental and groundcover are not the only vines that will kill bushes. Grapes (Vitis spp.) grow as garden fruits in USDA zones 4 through 10. While grapes spread over time, they do not become invasive. However, grapevines will climb anything nearby, including shrubs and trees. It may take time, but grapes can take over and kill shrubs if planted too closely. Give grapevines ample trellising and space between them and they may climb on.

The cache is a tied in, camoed, “small” pill bottle, that you have to push hard to open and close. Please BYOP and put everything back as you found it. I appreciate if you comment on the condition of my caches, rubber bands, sealed bags, if a log is wet etc.