Family houses with sizeable gardens are the norm in Northfield, and the conifers and hedges that came with them are often where ivy gets its first foothold. From there it moves onto garage walls, fences and the house itself. We cut it back and remove it so each of those surfaces is exposed and the growth stops spreading.
Our approach is steady rather than rushed. Stems are cut low, the top growth is given time to die, and the dead ivy is then pulled away by hand. It is a bit slower than tearing live ivy off, but it is kinder to brickwork, render and timber, and it leaves a cleaner finish.
There is not much to do beforehand. Clear any garden furniture, pots or bikes from the wall or fence you want cleared, and let us know if there are pets or children who use that area. In Northfield, where side access to the back garden may be a narrow path beside a garage, tell us if gates are locked or if anything blocks the way. That way nothing gets in the way of the work.
We also ask which plants you want to keep. Ivy often twines through climbing roses, clematis and shrubs, and separating it from them takes patience. If a favourite climber is tangled in the ivy, say so before we start and we will take the ivy out around it, working by hand, so the plant you value is spared. That can be slow, careful work, but it is worth it.
Inter-war and later homes in Northfield are usually brick or render, and both can hold ivy tightly. Brick tends to give up its grip more cleanly once the stems have died, while render can flake or come away in patches with the roots. We test a small area first and adjust. If the render sounds hollow or loose, we stop and explain. From the ground we also look along the gutters and soffits, as ivy likes to settle behind them.
Garage walls and side fences take the same treatment. Where ivy has grown over a flat garage roof, we cut it at the base, ease it off the edges and clear the debris so nothing blocks the drainage. We do not go onto fragile roofing; if the surface cannot be reached safely, we tell you. That keeps the work honest and the risk low, and avoids promises we cannot keep.
Northfield's conifers and hedges hold ivy tightly. We cut the stems at the base and clear what we can reach, though a dense conifer calls for a more cautious approach than an open hedge. A tight conifer can hide dead inner branches, so we look as we go. Birds are checked for first. We also cover Rubery and Longbridge, and every bit of cut ivy is taken away when we go.
Based in Hall Green, so we are never far from the gardens we work in.
We look at the job before we price it, so you know what is involved.
Branches, clippings and rubbish from our jobs are cleared and the garden left tidy.
Call, or send photos on WhatsApp, and we will come back to you.
From our base in Hall Green we work across Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and parts of Worcestershire. Choose your area.
Usually yes, but it takes patience. We cut the ivy at the base and then unpick the stems from the rose by hand, working slowly so the thorns and canes are not damaged. If the two are too badly knotted together, we will explain what can be saved and what cannot.
Once the stems are cut, the roots on the wall dry out and lose their grip. We brush away what loosens and leave stubborn traces rather than grind at the brickwork. Small marks fade over time, and a light clean later can help if they bother you.
Not always. If we can reach the ivy from the front or through an open side gate, you do not need to be in. We will arrange access and confirm what is being done beforehand. If the work is in a back garden behind a locked gate, we will need a way through.
Tell us what needs doing and where. We will get back to you to arrange a visit and a free, no-obligation quote. Photos sent on WhatsApp help.
