English ivy may look beautiful, but it can quickly take over your home.
Everyone loves the look of vegetation growing on their white picket fence. But not many people concern themselves with the possible damage these vines could be causing under their leaves. Vines hold tight to your fence and can ruin the integrity of the fence structure in a very short amount of time. So while you may think some ivy is perfectly harmless for your fence, it might cost you more in the long run. Let’s take a look at some vines that aren’t so fence-friendly.
Woody Vines
Some woody vines may be a favorite of gardeners because of their blooms and fragrant flowers, but these vines can quickly spread all of your wood fence’s surface. As these vines spread over your fence, they capture and hold water against the materials, rotting the wood. This rot allows fungus, bugs, and other hazards to burrow into the fence, ruining it. Wisteria, ivy, trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, and climbing hydrangeas are all examples of woody vines. These vines contain a strong “wooden” root that can force its way between wooden fence slats or into existing cracks and break your fence.
Invasive Species
Invasive species of vines can be extremely brutal to fight, both for you and your fence. These vines are often related to a native species like multiflora roses but turn out to be extremely invasive. These unwelcome cousins can choke the life out of your ecosystem, geographic regions, and gardens in a very short time. Invasive species are not only a danger to your plants, but they are also a danger to the environment. Species like English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and chocolate vine are all extremely invasive plants and are extremely hard to get rid of. These vines compound the dangers of a woody vine by growing rapidly to cover every inch of available space around your home including your lawn, on other plants, trees, and even on your house if they are left unchecked. Once these invasive vines take hold, the only way to get rid of them are harsh chemicals or controlled burns.
Vines can not only pose a threat to your fence but in some cases to your entire home and you. It is important to avoid these vines and to cut them away if you start to notice any vegetation on your fence. For more information on fence maintenance or to learn about fence-friendly vines, check out the rest of our blog!
Get in Touch with Hercules Fence of Washington, DC Today
At Hercules Fence, we specialize in the installation and maintenance of several fence styles throughout the Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina areas. Our sales team can offer you many selections to choose from to accommodate your protective, privacy, semi-privacy, and decorative needs, and our professionals use only the highest quality materials to install your fence at a price that is reasonable and affordable. We also specialize in commercial fencing to keep your business safe and secure while also looking professional and welcoming.
To get started with your stress-free fence installation, call us today at 1-800-883-3623. You can also visit our contact page to find a full list of our locations and phone numbers.
