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.

With the same indifference that you show to the environment, plants and pollinators

I don’t expect it to bother you, given that you are unbothered by your actions killing pollinators and other wildlife.

meh.

Ivy growing on a standard garden fence will provide home to a earwigs, snails and a few spiders. We’re not talking about the Great Barrier Reef. Glycophosphate it back to hell!

Actually, mature ivy is really useful to a whole range of animals. As well as shelter for loads of insects, the sturdy stems make a secure framework for garden birds to build a nest. In addition:

• it flowers late in the year, around now, when there are few other food sources for pollinating insects
• these insects that the ivy supports then feed birds and bats
• in the winter, ivy produces berry-like fruits, again feeding the birds
• because it's evergreen, it offers sheltered roosting areas for small birds on cold nights

Look after your ivy! It's like a smorgasbord for your local wildlife!

Blackbirds and Hedgehogs

Not in my old garden. I had to move house to escape from that viny harridan. I’d also apply glycophosphate to whatever AI you used to write that response @CatherineHoward17

This is the question. They aren't allowed to attach a trellis to your fence.

They will grow it again...

I have it too in my neighbour's garden. I just bought one of those small hand held electric trimmers and it keeps it under control when it decides to wander a bit too far into my garden.

I tried this but it didn’t really work as the ivy would poke through the fence and sort of suction itself along. And then I’d struggle to pull it off, and it would leave horrible marks over the fence. It was just impossible to get rid of it, meaning that it looked so untidy just poking through.

I just hope the neighbours aren’t planning on replanting. I do still have the spray though so would plan on doing the same again if they do!

No AI used (I would have thought that was obvious!). I knew all of the above information from research I've previously done when tending to my own garden so I just used my memory, novel concept as that may seem.

The harmful nature of glycophosphate has been known about for years. My friend's dog got very sick through poisoning from it about 5 years ago. The council had sprayed it on verges and the dog chewed the long grass that had been sprayed. Luckily it wasn't enough to do permanent damage.

Ah that is because you gave it the chance to attach itself. You have to keep an eye on it and the young shoots before they get the chance to do that.

Did you see the pictures OP sent near the beginning of the post? The thick ivy branches were trying to force their way through the slats and ruin the fence that OP had just had installed.

Those here who are keen to use it won’t care 🤷‍♀️

I lost a 6ft x 50ft perimeter wall of my house due to ivy because I thought it was pretty.
Poison it.