Does Ivy Damage Fences? Find Out Here!

Written By James
Updated March 13, 2022 by James

Does Ivy Damage Fences? Find Out Here!

Will Ivy Damage Fences?

Ivy only damages fences when they are planted too close together. If you grow ivy, it will cover the fence and won't do any harm.

But, if you plant a row of ivy against a fence, it will take away all the light from the plants behind it, which will kill them.

Ivy is a climbing vine or plant that grows and spreads via underground root systems. Ivy types of vines grow and create dense clusters of leaves called "paws."

The leaves are soft and leathery, and the flowers are inconspicuous. Ivy is also called "creeping wood sorrel" since the stems often creep along the ground.

Ivy damages fences because it grows up to 4 feet per year and spreads along fences. The bushy vine also produces berries which turn into seeds that fall onto your lawn. If you do not remove them, the ivy will grow back once spring comes around again.

How Does Ivy Damage Fences?

When ivy grows up against fences, it puts pressure on the fence and causes it to crack and crumble. The plant's roots grow underground, which creates cracks in the ground that allow water to seep through.

It can damage foundations and walls. Ivy also makes for difficult maintenance because it requires constant pruning.

Ivy damage fences are common for homeowners who live in areas where ivy grows.

There are many factors involved in ivy damaging a fence. The weight of the ivy and the direction of the wind are the two main factors that contribute to ivy damaging a fence.

It is important to check a fence before covering it with ivy. It will ensure that the fence can actually handle the extra weight of ivy, or it will fall apart.

How Do You Fix Ivy Damage On Your Fence?

Method 1: 

To fix ivy damage on your fence, start at the bottom and work your way up using a brush. A stiff wire brush works best for this job.

Start at the plant base and move upward, removing any dead leaves or debris. After cleaning the area, use a hose and water to remove excess dirt and moisture.

Method 2:

You can use a weed killer, like Roundup, to kill the ivy. If you don't want to use herbicides, you can try a hoe or individual garden tool to dig up the ivy.

If you keep the ivy from taking hold again in your fence, you might be able to avoid damaging it again.

Method 3:

Hiring a professional fence repair company is much better to ensure your project is done right. Your fence is the foundation of your home's security and home value.

Protect both with a professional fence repair company.

How Do You Prevent Ivy From Damaging Your Fence?

Keep the plants away from the vinyl fence to prevent ivy from damaging your fence. Place them at least 30 feet away from the wall. Remove ivy when it reaches 1 inch high.

Never cut back the ivy. When all the leaves turn brown, remove the invasive plant.

It's best to remove ivy as soon as you can, but if you can't, most treatments won't stop the spread of the pesky plant. Instead, focus on preventing it from climbing your wood fence.

And if you can't prevent it, consider monitoring it and pruning it.

It's important to remove all the ivies that have already taken woody root. Ivy plant is one of the invasive species that cause structural damage to the natural ecosystem.

If you've got ivy and want to know how to get rid of it, then use these techniques and methods above to keep your garden free of ivy.

Plants that could damage your wooden fence

Many resourceful plants could damage your wooden or metal fences. These weeds need to be removed immediately. Otherwise, they will cause serious harm.

Some common ones include:

  • Poison ivy
  • Japanese knotweed
  • Morning glory vines
  • Blackberry shrubs
  • Kiwi vines
  • Rhododendrons

Common Fence-Friendly Vines

Several beautiful vines are compatible with the majority of fences. It's important to have a type of fence that will stand the test of time and have vines that will grow well.

With these annual vines, homeowners can have fences and have a variety of safest vines to choose from.

  • Leucophyllum frutescens

Leucophyllum frutescens has some notable characteristics that make it a good choice for the summer garden fence. It can grow to 15 feet in height, but the plant nursery may lose its lower leaves as it reaches its greatest height.

So you may want to prune it to maintain a more compact shape. It boasts an attractive, dense growth habit and is resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a good choice for most fence lines.

  • Silver lace vine

If you're looking for a type of vine that can grow on a fence, the silver lace vine (a.k.a. frost grape) is your best bet. It is a vigorous grower that can grow ten to fifteen feet per year.

The vine type can be trained to grow against a fence with the right training. It is also very resistant to pests and diseases.

Last Words

If you want to keep your fence looking good, the best thing you can do is remove ivy before it forms a thick layer on it. It will ensure that you don't have to worry about damaging ivy fences.

Once you help your fence find its purpose, you'll have no problem choosing from many vines that will work to help it grow. With a little bit of planning, you'll have a fence that is both beautiful and functional.

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James

My father, and his father before him, and his father; for the past 3 generations, my family have always been into gardening. The green fingers is a gift passed down to me and I thoroughly enjoy it! I also have worked in the manufacturing department for Bosch and DeWalt so I like to think I know a thing or two about tools and such!
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