Threat of uncontrolled growth of Ivey & Briars to our field hedges

briarknife

I regularly walk our family farm in all four seasons to view the livestock and also admire the beauty of the white thorn / black thorn hedges especially in the month of May when both show off their white & pink coloured blossoms.

I have noticed over over the years the proliferation of ivy and briars in the perimeter hedges compared to the interior hedges, the perimeter hedges have an electric fence placed about 2 meters on the field side to stop livestock going into neighbours land. This electric fence keeps livestock (cattle, sheep, horses ) from nippling the young growth of these invasive species and keeping their growth under control.

The upside of this uncontrolled growth is an abundance of black berries in the autumn and massif foliage cover for bird nesting.

The downside unfortunately I observe year by year, the white thorn & black thorn bushes are completely infested with prolific growth of Ivey. This progressively grows up the trunk and then reaches the canopy of the bush where it competes with sunlight with the leaves reducing the bush’s ability to absorb energy from the sun and thrive. The bush is weakened and eventually dies or is blown over by the winter storms.

We have already lost a considerable proportion of the ash trees in our hedge rows due to die back, we now face loosing our white thorn & black thorn to the uncrontrolled growth of Ivey which I would consider a invasive species

mikewest

Another new account splattering manure over this forum that cant program their chatGPT with the correct spellings.

The hedgerows and roadsides are riddled with the stuff… some say it does no harm but it does eventually consume the host.

memorystick

Grazon 90 great for briars

Base price

The correct spelling is Ivy - there is no "e".

Ivy, white thorn and blackthorn are not invasive species irrespective of what you "would" think. IMO you are talking out of both sides of your mouth -

"I regularly walk our family farm in all four seasons to view the
livestock and also admire the beauty of the white thorn / black thorn
hedges especially in the month of May when both show off their white
& pink coloured blossoms"

"The upside of this uncontrolled growth is an abundance of black berries in the autumn and massif foliage cover for bird nesting"

If you are concerned get your hedge knife, hand saw or chain saw out on your regular walks about your family farm and address the issue cause nobody is going to do it for you.

Ivy, white thorn and blackthorn are important native plants for our native pollinators.

IMO another Troll post.

Seth Brundle

Ivy, white thorn and blackthorn are important native plants for our native pollinators.

Ivy is also important for nesting birds especially the wren. It can also form an important home for bats.

Base price

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121972309#Comment_121972309

And is an important source of nectar for bees coming into the Winter months.

Birdnuts

Ivy is a native plant that is a vital source of food via berries and nector at crucial times of the year for birds and other wildlife. If your genuinely worried about non-native invasive plants that are causing damage, i suggest you devote your energies in that direction to the damage the likes of Rhodendron, Laurel, Monbretia, Himlayan Balsam etc. are doing to habitats up and down the country.

PS: Ivy is also good for stock and has many medicinal and other beneficial properties for same

Siamsa Sessions

By the OP’s rationale it’s OK to intervene in nature for aesthetic reasons.

Doesn’t ivy have feelings too?

blue5000

Mod note; closed.