Ivy, or no Ivy? That is the question. Whether it is better to leave Ivy growing on a host tree or to cut it down. I had always thought that Ivy was harmful to the tree, though it turned out I was wrong; Ivy doesn't harm healthy trees, nor does it aid the tree, it just utilizes it, it does though support quite a number of wildlife species, making it a definite positive addition when growing on conifers. It can hide disease though, and overwhelm a weak crown leading it to topple, although a healthy crown should limit Ivy growth to a sustainable level. This one looks like it's holding the balance right, at the moment.
