Not only is the entirety of Walden’s Ridge fighting the dreaded woolly adelgid infestation, it’s facing another threat.
Wendi Morgan and Amy Wetmore, who describe themselves as “tree-loving Signal Mountain residents,” are working to spread awareness that English ivy is also killing trees in the mountaintop community.
“We let a $2.50 plant kill a $5,000 tree,” said Morgan. “The reason we started with this whole English ivy campaign is because of a huge oak tree in my backyard. It was nearly killed by the ivy growing up the tree. The jury is still out on whether or not it’s going to pull through.”
According to her and Wetmore, the green vine “chokes” trees, robbing nutrients and water from the soil that would normally benefit the trees. The dense ivy can reach into the treetops, blocking sunlight from reaching the leaves or needles, and the added weight to the trees makes them more likely to fall down.
Morgan added that English ivy is just as invasive as kudzu, and it attracts mosquitoes.
While the invasive ivy is often planted to function as low-maintenance ground coverage or landscaping, Morgan said it easily reaches into the forest and slowly climbs up each tree.
“We buy it at the nursery and we plant it in our flower beds,” she said. “It would not exist in forests if we weren’t planting it.”
“When it hits the forest it hits every single tree,” Wetmore noted.
Once the ivy “goes vertical” up trees or other structures, it is able to seed, explained Morgan. Birds are then able to spread the seed to trees in other parts of the mountain, many of which are out of the reach of humans, who can help.
“We are trying to raise awareness; we are not advocating people go around and spray chemicals,” said Wetmore. “My personal opinion is that spray is worse.”
She and Morgan both advise using a “natural method” to keep the English ivy from killing trees, which involves cutting a 2-foot “lifesaver ring” at the base of the tree. During the past weeks, they have been helping local churches and neighbors administer this method in order to save the trees in their landscapes and on their property.
Morgan also suggests not planting the invasive plant at all when planning a landscape. Though one property owner might be responsible and keep the English ivy in check, a later owner may not be, she said.