ESB pole with ivy in my garden.

[pat12345678]

I’ve an esb pole in my garden covered right to the top with ivy.
Will the ivy rot the pole ?
Who is responsible for the pole ?
Any advice please ?

 

[ClubMan]

Who is responsible for the pole ?

ESB Networks?

I have ESB poles on my land am I entitled to compensation?

<p>Yes, if the bases of steel electricity masts or wooden poles interfere with your everyday practices you are entitled to a compensation payment.</p>

www.esbnetworks.ie

Will the ivy rot the pole ?

Rot? Doubt it. But ivy can grow uncontrollably and might weigh it down. If you're concerned then why not start by cutting the ivy close to the roots so it dies of above that? Then you could consider dealing with the roots maybe using a suitable weedkiller?

Or just contact ESB Networks about it.

 

[Buddyboy]

And if you discover that it is having no detrimental effect on the pole, consider leaving it there as it's a very valuable food source for bees and other pollinators in preparation for hibernation. It is one of the last flowering plants before the cold sets in.

The importance of flowering ivy (Hedera helix) - National Botanic Garden of Wales

First of all, it is an important source of pollen and nectar for pollinators in autumn. When a lot of flowering plants are starting to die off in late summer, ivy starts to produce yellow/green, strong-smelling blooms, so pollinators that are still on the wing use it to forage. Late-flying...

botanicgarden.wales

https://phys.org/news/2013-04-honey-ivy-gardeners-foe-bees.html

 

[mathepac]

The dope on ivy from RHS

 

[T McGibney]

The dope on ivy from RHS

"ivy doesn’t directly harm trees " is, let's say, economical with the truth.

 

[mathepac]

From RHS web-site which reads as though its full and frank to me, with no economy.

"Is ivy harmful to trees?

Although ivy on trees is often thought to be a serious problem, endangering the health of even large trees, it isn’t directly harmful. Its aerial roots don’t penetrate tree bark – they attach to it for support only – and mature, healthy trees are able to cope with some competition at ground level for water and nutrients, and at canopy level for light.

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.

There are, however, a few instances where it might be desirable or necessary to remove ivy from tree trunks:

• On ornamental trees with decorative bark, like many birches and acers, which can become obscured by ivy
• On young or newly planted treeswhich can suffer from competition for light, water and and at canopy level for light.
• On trees with sparse canopies, like ash (Fraxinus) and larch (Larix), which can become heavily smothered and weakened from competition
• On old, weak or previously damaged trees, where ivy growth can hide problems such as cavities or signs of decay, potentially making a tree unsafe. The extra weight of ivy on an already ailing tree can also make the canopy unstable, particularly in windy conditions."

However in response to OP's question, I'd be contacting ESB Networks with any concerns and wouldn't go messing with their poles, for safety and other reasons

 

[Forumuser]

In theory ivy does not harm a tree.
In reality, ivy does indeed root inside trees if they have decaying parts- the ivy sends its roots into the damaged parts of the trees and make matters worse.
Loads of trees overgrown with ivy come down in every storm. Most of them would not have come down if the ivy would not have been there. The sheer weight of the ivy and the unnatural growth gives the wind additional leverage to bring down the trees. Year after year I see whitethorn hedges infested with ivy being toppled over. All of them would be still there without ivy.
Have a look around the countryside and you see what I mean.