It’s Hedera of some kind. Vines are not the best for trees, but these are not parasites. They have their own root system & ability to photosynthesize so they’re just using the trees for supports.
I’m not familiar with the whole native range of Hedera species because where I live they are all invasive, but in general native vines growing on native trees is not an issue, it’s just part of the checks & balances system of the ecosystem
Wide_Breadfruit_2217
Thats english or some other type of ivy. Its not symbiotic. They put little root type structures into the bark of the tree. It will take a long time to harm tree but can eventually take a sick tree down from the weight alone. People often cut them around in a circle to kill but leave on tree above to keep from damaging bark in removal. Trying to remove by roots extremely difficult
MayonaiseBaron
No. That’s some species of *Hedera* or “Ivy.” *Hedera helix* “English Ivy” is a super common ornamental plant that strongly resembles your images but has many cultivars. It’s invasive and a pest here in North America where it smothers native plants but it’s not parasitic and I have no first hand knowledge of its ecology in Europe.
Cornflake294
English ivy. They are not parasitic in that they don’t draw nutrients through the bark of the tree. They use the tree to reach sunlight. They do draw nutrients from the ground around the tree and they can choke out the leaves the tree uses to make energy.
It will shorten the lifespan of the tree. Its neither symbiotic nor parasitic strictly speaking. The damage to the tree is done by competing for nutrients/light and additonal weight. The roots of the ivy will also dig into the bark, trapping moisture and promoting rot.
That said, this can go on for decades and is a pretty common sight in europe. You can check out the arborists reddit too.
If people (or cars/property) nearby, its best to do something about it.
Street_Calendar5674
It’s a super invasive pest atttracter is what it is. I hate English ivy with a passion. It takes over so much so quickly and is nearly impossible to completely get rid of. Plus it attracts things like rats and bugs.
RutabagaPretend6933
Hedera helix. NATIVE species in Belgium and very important for certain pollinators (late flowering). Does not harm the tree in any way.
FixPuzzleheaded577
I’m no botanist but that looks to be in the family of a common English Ivy. They are parasitic i believe and tend to be worse with the level of infestation.
Fungi-Hunter
Like others have said it may shorten the trees life span. Having said that it’s a late flowering plant great for bees and later the berries for birds. Plus it provide s cover for small animals. I’m in the UK where Ivy is a native species.
9 Comments
It’s Hedera of some kind. Vines are not the best for trees, but these are not parasites. They have their own root system & ability to photosynthesize so they’re just using the trees for supports.
I’m not familiar with the whole native range of Hedera species because where I live they are all invasive, but in general native vines growing on native trees is not an issue, it’s just part of the checks & balances system of the ecosystem
Thats english or some other type of ivy. Its not symbiotic. They put little root type structures into the bark of the tree. It will take a long time to harm tree but can eventually take a sick tree down from the weight alone. People often cut them around in a circle to kill but leave on tree above to keep from damaging bark in removal. Trying to remove by roots extremely difficult
No. That’s some species of *Hedera* or “Ivy.” *Hedera helix* “English Ivy” is a super common ornamental plant that strongly resembles your images but has many cultivars. It’s invasive and a pest here in North America where it smothers native plants but it’s not parasitic and I have no first hand knowledge of its ecology in Europe.
English ivy. They are not parasitic in that they don’t draw nutrients through the bark of the tree. They use the tree to reach sunlight. They do draw nutrients from the ground around the tree and they can choke out the leaves the tree uses to make energy.
Thats [Ivy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_helix).
It will shorten the lifespan of the tree. Its neither symbiotic nor parasitic strictly speaking. The damage to the tree is done by competing for nutrients/light and additonal weight. The roots of the ivy will also dig into the bark, trapping moisture and promoting rot.
That said, this can go on for decades and is a pretty common sight in europe. You can check out the arborists reddit too.
If people (or cars/property) nearby, its best to do something about it.
It’s a super invasive pest atttracter is what it is. I hate English ivy with a passion. It takes over so much so quickly and is nearly impossible to completely get rid of. Plus it attracts things like rats and bugs.
Hedera helix. NATIVE species in Belgium and very important for certain pollinators (late flowering). Does not harm the tree in any way.
I’m no botanist but that looks to be in the family of a common English Ivy. They are parasitic i believe and tend to be worse with the level of infestation.
Like others have said it may shorten the trees life span. Having said that it’s a late flowering plant great for bees and later the berries for birds. Plus it provide s cover for small animals. I’m in the UK where Ivy is a native species.