English ivy is native to Europe. 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.