AIBU to object to a neighbour growing ivy on our fence?

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Our neighbour has planted ivy up our boundary fence (owned by us) for the second time. They previously grew ivy up the fence, and we eventually replaced the fence as it was getting old and worn. The new fence now has ivy poking through on our side! It’s such an eye sore and really does look a mess.

What can I do here? Are they technically “allowed” to grow a climbing plant up a boundary owned by us? They are elderly but also very unreasonable hence why I haven’t approached them about it yet.

I don’t think it’s allowed especially as their plant crosses the boundary.

Do you know they’ve intentionally planted it? Who plants ivy??? It’s one of those things that just grows. It’s a bugger to get rid of. It’s probably still living in the ground from last time.

Have you asked them if you can come round and cut it back?

They definitely have planted it. They actually have it growing up a trellis!

It grows through the fence panels and also over the top. I’d love to paint the fence but I can’t now as it would just look a mess. Even when I pull the ivy off it leaves marks and brown stains.

Are they actually growing ivy, or is the ivy growing there and they haven’t noticed that it’s spread/not able to remove it?
Ivy is a wild plant and it can grow very fast.
A while ago, I had to strip ivy off a roughcast wall and repaint it. Took ages and was really hard work.

You can trim any bits that encroach on your side. I guess you need to have a polite chat with them and explain the reasons why you don't approve of it. Ie presumably that it'll eventually damage the fence.

I'm not sure what the council could do. I know that if something is encroaching on your property they can demand it's removal. Like if it was touching your actual walls. But I'm not sure if fences are different. And technically their side of the fence is part of their property?

If it’s a wooden fence that ivy will get between the panels and destroy it in no time, it’s insidious and destructive. I’d warn them that if they don’t remove it they’ll be issued with a solicitors letter instructing them to. The cost of the letter will be cheaper than a new fence and will put them back in their box.

Yes this is what’s happened. I cut it back every time our lawn is mowed (once a week), and it’s back over again each time!

They’ve definitely planted it. They have it growing up a trellis.

I don’t really want to be harsh (they are elderly), but it looks such a mess from my side.

We had a nightmare with ivy growing through our garage . They kind of didn't believe it was damaging the woodwork . They used to laugh at my DH if he brought it.up. It caused a really nasty atmosphere between us our kids had grown up.together we were neighbours over 30 years ! . Fortunately new neighbours sorted it . Its awful stuff .

We’ve had an absolute war over Ivy with the neighbour
Who apparently thought it looked quite nice whilst destroying everything in its path and completely over running my garden
Anyway, basically, I just hacked it all back
Better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission

Is the trellis attached to your fence?

Not wanting to scare you but rodents can hide and nest in creeper plants including ivy. Parents had this years ago in their garden, rats living or climbing up in creeper plant and in ivy on walls. A rat fell from it once and stepdad saw it and speared it dead with the garden rake. That was a long time ago mind you. They’ve still got them (the plants) but far less if any rats (they’ll be anywhere anyway).

I’ve just paid £2400 for 2 solicitors letters so I’m not sure id do that- not least because they can chose to ignore them freely.

I’ve also never heard of people planting ivy, it’s so invasive it just appears.

last year my neighbour asked me to remove it from my fence but for various reasons it’s not happening intl next week. I don’t see it as an obligation tbh, it’s part of life. Planting it is really odd though

You can hack it back but if the root is in their property it’ll grow back. However I would do this until they get the message that you’ll keep removing it

Yabvu OP. You can cut the ivy back to the boundary but they have the right to grow it on their side.

Really? I have it or used to and so did my stepdad and mum in their garden but it’s cut back. Can’t recall my fence material at the back unless I look. Panels seem ok as been there for years on both our properties.

A fence should be able to take a really long period of heavy ivy before it’s damaged, but you also get to the point you can’t remove it as it’ll bring the fence with it. I have this on the other side, but it’s been growing at least 10 years

This is a ridiculous off the bat suggestion. Just chat to them and offer to go remove it yourself. It's probably not been planted, and is just wild in their garden.

Ivy is fantastic for wildlife and imo looks great over a fence, much nicer than paint. Keep it under control from your side and the fence will be fine.

A little systemic weed killer syringed into their side at night shoukd do the trick.

We have ivy grown by neighbours on our fence, it was there when we moved in so we accept it, but it's ugly and drives me mad having to cut it back every week in the summer. I cut it at the top and leave the cut bits for them to deal with. It has grown out of control onto the wall at the end of our garden (it grows rapidly and you can lose control of it if you're away on holiday or in hospital for a period). It'ss now higher than I can reach and I've just had to buy long handled shears to get to it. It's very hard to keep under control and it harbours all sorts of creepy crawlies that crawl out when I'm trimming it.

Would it be unreasonable for me to take the whole top of it off with hedge cutters? Even though this is technically in their garden? It’s gotten so thick that it probably stands a foot over the top of the fence and then down onto my side now.

I never realised that so many people don’t like Ivy. I love it. I have got it growing up walls up fences up trees. I just love the look of it. It’s so fresh green and shiny and then you’ve got the variegated versions beautiful.

That’s what I thought re wildlife. And rest of what you said. Never bothered me or stepdad’s garden. Minimal cutting back from my recollection. But done if need be annually for maintenance.

I like it actually! Always have done. Gives me Secret Garden (the old fashioned story book) vibes.

Neighbours are not allowed to do anything to your fence even on their side of it. They can’t paint it, stick nails in it or grow plants up it.