Ivy...covering ours & neighbours houses...what to do?

[llamallama]

Firstly, is Ivy a problem? It's growing up the side of our house?

Secondly...if it is a problem and should be removed then what's the best way to go about it. The ivy "belongs" to our neighbour. We live in a semi detached and the ivy starts on their land, grows up their house and then spreads over to ours.

I was thinking of approaching neighbour and suggesting we pay half each perhaps? It's their plant but then they might not want it removed at all!

I'm not sure how damaging it is - but it can grow it's aeriel roots into paintwork and mortar, so if removed there might be work needed underneath it. Presumably it can also harbour various insects which might bother some people.
I'd have a friendly chat about it and see if they like it & want to keep it, or split the cost of removal. Otherwise, if you don't like it, you'll just need to snip off the bits as they grow onto your house.

It can do a lot of damage to the mortar. I've removed it from our house as it had damaged the wall a great deal; the previous owners hadn't looked after it at all.

It can do a lot of damage if left unchecked. The easiest way to stop it growing any further is to cut through its main (surprisingly massive) stalks at the base, where it goes into the soil, that will stop it growing any further but your neighbour would need to do this. Otherwise, just remove the bits that are on your property. I think legally you are supposed to offer these cuttings back to the neighbour but not sure.

Certain species of ivy are more damaging than others. I would try and identify the ivy. We trim the ivy in our garden several times a year, we ensure it does not grow under the eaves, damage trees or walls and does NOT spread next door. I would start by pulling off some of the ivy on your side and trim to the boundary, it might be polite to explain to your neighbour.

Yes if you trim branches From Your neighbours plants or trees you should offer them to him, in reality it is better to dispose of them.

I hate the stuff. We moved house a couple of months ago and I've started cutting back and pulling down tons of it, and it's pulled away brickwork with the roots. I would cut it off your property/brickwork and just keep it trimmed back. Is it on the main wall of the house and creeping across to yours?

Awful stuff - get rid! Try and persuade your neighbour to get rid too!

Thank you all! We are going to have to talk to neighbour I think as even to cut back the stuff on our house we need access to their front garden!

If you like snails then ivy is great.

If like me you can't stand them then pulling it all off is the only answer.

It is important to identify what the plant is - unless you are 100% certain, ask someone who is to identify it. If it is common ivy, then it can cause huge damage and you should remove it as soon as you can.

It is easier to remove while still green and alive. If you cut it off low down, and leave it a few months, the dried stuff is really hard to get off.
(Someone on MN told me that)

Greyvix is right. I used to have ivy growing up my house wall (left there from previous vendor). I tried both ways and it was fair easier to strip it from the top downwards with fresh ivy rather than going up from the base with dried stuff.

Common Ivy will disintegrate structures it grows on, depending on their condition. It has roots that burrow into little cracks in brick and mortar.

I would snip all the shoots that cross your property boundary and let what is on your side die off, then pull off. But I think you have to offer it all to your neighbour, undead.