English ivy can be found anywhere people have lived. It is a popular landscaping plant. English ivy is one of the few exotics that can become established and grow in deep shade. English ivy forms thick carpets on the forest floor and chokes out native vegetation, including tree seedlings. It creeps up trees into the canopy, flowers and forms berries.
Birds eat the berries and disperse seeds to other locations.
Seedlings emerge and start new infestations. The vines weigh down tree branches causing them to break. English ivy is a threat to the integrity of the ancient redwood forest. Cutting vines from trees will kill all ivy growing on the tree. Stems and roots on the ground must be pulled and the area watched for resprouts.