English and Irish Ivy

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 English and Irish Ivy are widely planted ornamental plants with dark green leaves arranged alternately along the stem. It is extremely hardy and can survive in full-sun to shade. The small umbels of white flowers are followed by a prolific amount of blue-black berries. Ivy is often used to cover brick walls, sheds or as a ground cover beneath trees. It clings to tree bark smothering the tree. and the aerial roots may destroy mortar joints on walls.  Ivy forms a thick canopy just above the ground and prevents sunlight from reaching other plants. It affects the native vegetation growing along the ground as well as in the forest canopy and results in a loss of biodiversity. 

 English ivy has invasive aerial roots that cling to trees and its trailing stems take root and spread along the ground. It produces blue-black berries that are quickly spread by birds. Clippings easily take root when not disposed of properly, or if dumped on unused ground or in bushland areas.

English Ivy vines can be pulled up by hand. Remove all the cuttings from the ground as they will take root and regrow. Place  cuttings off the ground (on a platform) to dry out and decompose,or seal them in strong bags and place in rubbish bins.