Went a hike at the weekend and noted that a lot of wonderful large (and very old) english oak trees are all choked up with ivy. It did not show in the spring/summer with the tree in leaf, but it shows now. The ivy stems are as thick as a human leg and the plants are reaching into the upper parts of the trees.

I live in Herts - is this a local thing or are the trees all over England affected? Does it harm the trees? Has this got worse just recently?

I am tempted to take a saw the those snake-like tendrils, but would I be doing more harm then good?

RT

In some instances ivy can take out an ill tree but it was on the way out anyway.

Leave the ivy where it is, the tree won't mind and there are a host of little beasties that live in the ivy.