What type of climbing tree is this?

movilogo

Can someone please tell me what type of climbing tree is this?

The branches are quite thick and embedded in the bricks. Did it already damage the house so far?

Is it easy to get rid of?

maninthestreet

That looks very much like ivy.

phill99

Agreed. Ivy. Can be very damaging to brickwork. It's creepers get into mortar beds and weaken them.

movilogo

Is it that bad to walk away from buying the house? Apparently, the house was occupied by tenants for last 2 years and did very little to maintain the house

G_M

I assume you are buying the house on the right?

If you sever the ivy at the base, it will gradually die. You can then either get up a ladder and cut it back, or leave it (a long time) to rot and fall away.

So: what will you be left with? Maybe very little or no damage (apart from an unsightly mess for the period between killing it and it falling away to leave you with bare brick again).

Worst case, the mortar (cement between the bricks) will be damaged/crumbling. This is easily repaired by 're-pointing' (cutting out the mortar and replacing. A brickie should do this in a day or so.

http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/31191/is-ivy-bad-for-your-walls

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-get-rid-of-ivy

http://www.squirrelconstruction.co.uk/services_repointing.php

xylophone

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1278430/Why-ivy-creeping-walls-home-actually-protect-building-thanks-thermal-shield.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy

Lord_Baltimore

G_M wrote: »

Worst case, the mortar (cement between the bricks) will be damaged/crumbling. This is easily repaired by 're-pointing' (cutting out the mortar and replacing. A brickie should do this in a day or so.

Hmm, first time I've ever thought it necessary to question your usually excellent advice.

I agree that surface ivy is nothing to worry about but, if a building is not intact to start with, it can be very invasive and destructive. The 'grow-through' that I've seen would not satisfactorily be repaired by pointing and I'd advise a close inspection of the walls before buying.

I don't care how many University studies say ivy provides a thermal blanket, I'd rather not have it. It looks awful anyway and is probably full of garden pests.

Mickygg

Ivy!! Yes this does cause problems. I had to cut back and it had really damaged the mortar. It had actually grown into and behind sealant.It has left a horrible mess on the side of the house and I've no idea how to get off the marks.
You just won't know until it's cut back what (if any) damage it's done.

Davesnave

Mickygg wrote: »

You just won't know until it's cut back what (if any) damage it's done.

This is the salient point, but the house looks relatively modern so it's likely that any damage will be minimal.

I would get a bit stripped away and see for myself. If you don't feel confident, get an experienced builder to look & advise..

The presence of the ivy could be an advantage in that it will put some others off the house.

Cosmetically there will be problems disguising the marks left. Wire brush and elbow grease job, probably.

carefullycautious

Don't cut the base until you have removed the ivy. It is a nightmare to get off if dead.

Also do not remove in nesting season you will be surprised at the number of birds that will love this. I have seen flocks come out of just this depth.

MoneyMate

carefullycautious wrote: »

Don't cut the base until you have removed the ivy. It is a nightmare to get off if dead.

Also do not remove in nesting season you will be surprised at the number of birds that will love this. I have seen flocks come out of just this depth.

Hi I did the opposite, moved into House and as soon as I could severed the many stems at ground level, the reason was apparently the ivy starts to die slowly releasing it's grip on Mortar Pipes and alike, not to mention the army of ant's which were climbing up to roof level as they feed off the ivy (This was June ) GOOD LUCK :beer: