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 agree it’s a mad thread!
there are a lot of birds in the garden quite possibly because of the ivy, offers a perfect home for nesting birds.
I’d offer to go round and cut it back because it is damaging the fence and out of control (as they are elderly).
please wait until nesting season is well and truly over.

Ivy will ruin your fence, 💯 ask them to remove it 😣

This isn’t necessarily true. My neighbour just had our joint 50 year old fence replaced. The ivy kept it up and stopped the fence totally deteriorating in the weather for decades. Unbelievable but true!

Yeah, but it just sounds like you think a glimpse of a tiny ivy shoot ruins the look of your roses and other plants, which is a bit extreme.

Grow it on their side, yes. But not grow it up someone else's fence

This thread is really opening my eyes!
Ivy won't ruin your fence, it's an amazing resource for nesting birds. There's nothing you can do apart from cut it back, or ask them to pull it up at the root if you have a good relationship.

Take the fence panel out along with the ivy saying it has damaged the fence. That should slow it down somewhat.

Really disappointed in people’s desperation for antiseptic gardens. I nearly cried when some neighbours tore out a lovely big beech hedge and replaced it with a grey plastic-y fence and tarmac in every inch of the front garden. They’re constantly leaf-blowing too. No chance of any pesky wildlife in their garden. (Oh, and needless to say they have astroturfed the back garden for good measure.)

See, I love ivy, and I'm trying to get it to grow up our pergola thing - but as that is in close proximity to the shared fence - I've put netting up with a gap and I trim any attempts for it to make its way onto the neighbour's fence ruthlessly (it's starting to take the hint) because I know it's a right bastard fence wrecker and people don't always share my choices.

You're not being unreasonable, unfortunately its tricky. We planted a lot on our shared fence when we moved in, but because of the nature of what we needed to plant including a laurel hedge, we put membrane screening against the fencing first to ensure there could never be any grow-through to next door as the fence is slatted and 70 feet long. I know this won't resolve your issue, unless your neighbours could be convinced (unlikely I imagine) to remove what they've planted, screen the fence and re plant if they love ivy so much 🙈

Of course it is. It’s a plant. Also a boundary fence is owned by both parties (assuming it is on the boundary), irrespective of who paid for it. The OP can cut the plant on their side (they are legally required to give the cuttings back to the owner of the plant (chuck it over the fence).

Yes, that would be illegal. You can only trim what intrudes to your side.

I know the feeling, I have the same problem. I hate Ivy. To me it is an invasive weed and destroys everything. I am sure I read there is a solution you can make up that if sprayed on, kills it. Google it?

This one?
The absolute best and most effective homemade weed killer is a mixture of 1 gallon of white vinegar, 1 cup of salt, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. The vinegar’s acetic acid burns the leaves, the salt dehydrates the plant, and the soap helps the mixture

But it's NOT HER PLANT!!!

Nope a boundary fence is NOT owned by both sides unless there is an arrangement in place to say that it is. my "L" shaped garden is surrounded by gardens and each part has a clear and designated owner. OP CANNOT just chuck clippings over the fence. Clippings should be offered to the owner of the plant but if they refuse them then its the person who cut them off's responsibility to dispose of them and chucking them over the fence without permission counts as fly tipping. I wish people who don't know what they are talking about would just not post nonsense.

You have my sympathies. My neighbour is growing bindweed through/over/under my fence and all over their garden. I sort of wish it was ivy!

Oh really. You’re right I didn’t know that, but my main point still stands

And therefore, she can trim any of the plant that strays into her garden 🙄

I can't find your main point, I was answering @StrikeForever

I'm guessing they planted it for privacy, then.

She can indeed - but that poster was giving a homemade recipe for weedkiller. And others have recommended glyphosate, which is hopefully being banned soon due to its toxicity.

Btw, that homemade recipe is fine for weeds growing through gravel or patio cracks - I doubt if it will do much to an established climber like ivy, without repeated applications anyway. Which the OP is not allowed to do.

Me too. I've actually planted some in the past.

I doubt he's actually "growing" it. I have it coming in from both sides, and it's practically impossible to get rid of, unless you dig up the whole garden. I have to settle for pulling it off things.

My neighbours have Ivy - and much else growing up the fence - thankfully its theres

But its destroying the panels