Expert: Richard Clark - 3/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: I live in Victoria, BC, and have an extremely serious problem
with ivy as I let it go for too long a time and it is going to
cause a 9 foot rock retaining wall to eventually fall down if I do not act fast.  I have been digging as much as possible &
clipping, and have exposed roots. Will Round-Up work if applied to to these exposed roots which I have clipped? I
have read about what to do because of the large leaves, but
my question is more about the roots and vines with I have
clipped leaving them open & exposed, several inches from the
ground.  Thankyou so much.


ANSWER: Phyllis
No.
Round-Up will be absorbed by the green leaves and then move to the roots where it will then kill the roots, which will kill the plant.
You are doing the correct thing by drying the roots and vines out by exposing them to the air. Make sure they are not too close so as much air can get to them to dry them out. If you do burn them after they are dry, stay out of the smoke!!! Any leaves that are large enough to absorb the Round-Up will start killing the roots. You could mix 2-4-D and Round-Up and get better absorption for a better kill.
Good Luck
Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Richard,
Thankyou for your quick response, but just to clarify it for me, are you saying that the Round-Up can only be absorbed by
the leaves and not where I've cut the ivy back, thus showing
many open ends of the vines leading to the roots?

Answer
Phyllis
The bark covering the vines is their protection. Most chemicls can not pentrate it.You must wait until the leaves can absorb the Round-Up. The very best time would be in the Fall when the leaves transfer the engery to the roots for next years growth. You can apply Round-Up in the Summer on the leaves and it will still do the job. Still the best way to kill the vine and be sure it is dead is to dig as much out as you can. That way you know the roots are going to dry out and die. Sometimes it is extra work but, a sure thing.
Hope this clears everything up for you.
Richard