The Solution

There are several different ways to get rid of English ivy. Although none of them are easy, it is possible to get rid of the plant. The easiest way to do this is just to rip off the plant and compost it somewhere safe where it cannot start growing again.⁵ Using a knife and garden gloves the plant can be picked off and removed from the ground and trees. A couple weeks after removal it is useful to go back through and remove whatever sprouts back.⁵ Unlike some weeds it is not essential to dig down into the ground to pull up all of the plant's roots as they are usually shallow.³ 

Volunteers cleaning up English ivy at a park

Herbicide can also be used but it is very important to be careful and read the instructions.⁵ It has also been suggested that for large areas of English ivy that goats can be used to get rid of the English ivy because they will eat it.⁴ However, the goats are non-discriminating and will eat almost any plant. They also won't be able to get ivy that is high off of the ground.

Goats eating English ivy