Re: "Ivy faces chop from store wall," Aug. 23.
Removing the ivy from the former Zellers store in Tillicum Mall is a positive move, and I only wish we could eliminate all our local ivy.
Because English ivy is attractive, it has been widely planted, often without full realization of its impact on local habitats. As a vigorous introduced species with no local pests or diseases, English ivy is spreading its tendrils throughout the Capital Regional District. It covers the ground, crowding out other plants, and grows up trees until it eventually kills them.
Climbing into a tree, ivy shades the host leaves from the sun, thus preventing photosynthesis. In the canopy, it can become heavy enough to bring down the tree, especially in a strong wind. Worse still, when ivy reaches a certain height, it flowers and provides seeds for birds to disperse. Another problem is that rats can nest in the upper reaches of trees covered in ivy.
Unless we make a concerted effort to remove English ivy, our area will look very different as we begin to lose our beautiful shade-providing urban trees. A simple way to save a tree is to cut the vines at chest height and then pull them down to the ground. The upper vines will die naturally and can be left.
Shelagh Levey
Victoria
