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The Best Way to Cut Back Ivy

Cutting back ivy prevents the vine from infringing on the growth of trees, becoming a weed to other plants or growing outside of designated areas. Because ivy has such vigorous growing habits, gardeners must monitor the vine during the growing season. Proper pruning keeps ivy from quickly growing back, and prevents ivy from displaying unhealthy growth.

  1. Pinch-Back Method

    • The pinch-back method is employed anytime you see a shoot, tendril or trailer reach an undesirable length. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch the ivy plant right below its node. The node is the area where the leaves meet the stem. If you're worried about tearing the stem, use a pair of bypass shears to make the cut. Use the cut stem to grow a new ivy plant by placing the cutting in water and transplanting to a pot when roots appear.

    Pin-Down Method

    • Before the pin-down method is used, gardeners must separate the stems. Examine all the stems and choose three to six of the healthiest out of the group. Healthy stems display green foliage without any distorted growth or curling. Cut off stems that appear discolored, curled or weak. Remove all the other stems until you're left with the healthiest ones. Pick a shoot nearest to the crown or center of the ivy plant. Lay the vine on the surface of the soil and pin down every other leaf. All leaves must be facing upward. Remove any trapped leaves. Employ the same technique to the other stems, so that the vine will root to the soil and become more manageable.

    Cutting Ivy Growing On Trees

    • Ivy harms trees when allowed to grow across the surface of the bark. The vine creates a hospitable environment for pests and diseases, because of the dense foliage it produces. Also, ivy growing near the trunk of the tree competes with the plant for the soil's nutrients. Cut back your ivy plant, ankle height from the ground. Avoid pulling the vine off the tree. The vine produces a glue-like substance that rips off bark when pulled. Pull up the ivy plants growing at the base of the tree to remove.

    Cutting Back Ivy

    • Gardeners that have ivy invading outdoor structures and other vines should cut back their plant. To cut back ivy, make a cut 3 to 4 inches from ground. Apply a small amount of herbicide that contains glyphosate from the cut stem, using a paintbrush. Glyphosate kills off the plant by inhibiting its ability to produce proteins. Pull the ivy down off your structure, or make cuts every 6 inches to remove in short cuttings.

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Lawn Basics
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  2. The Best Way to Cut Rocks
  3. The Best Way to Remove Ivy
  4. The Best Way to Cut Weeds Along Fence
  5. The Best Way to Cut Crown Molding
  6. The Best Way to Cut Stair Stringers
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  10. The Best Ways to Cut Back Pampas Grass
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