How to eliminate English ivy?

Manual Removal Protocol

1. Perform bulk ivy removal in strips, working from the top of a slope downward. Prior to removal, survey the area for native species. One important goal in the ivy removal process is to leave native plants intact. For assistance in native plant identification check Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast by Pojar and Mackenon.
2. Standing on top of the ivy and down slope of the line of removal, disentangle or cut the ivy from around the base of native plants in the near vicinity of your line. After freeing your native plants, proceed to the top of your “ivy strip” and start pulling the leaves and stems along a line up to 8 feet in width.
3. Roll the ivy into cylindrical wads. Pull out woody debris caught in the wads (such as fir branches) and place on the newly exposed soil. Pull or cut the wad free and drag over existing ivy to an “ivy mound” location. The ivy mound can be composted, left in a heap, or hauled to commercial yard debris outlet—where it will be rendered toast.
4. Take care to remove any missed runner stems and roots by pulling and walking the length of the stems as you pull. The stems in some areas are strong and easy to thoroughly remove if “walked”. English ivy stems can regenerate from a piece six inches in length if left behind.
5. If found climbing trees, cut and remove the ivy from the bottom circumference of each tree. Make the cleared margin around the base at least three feet high.
6. Following the removal of one strip, continue wad removal until reaching the end of the strip. Go back to step 1 for the next strip.

WRP recommends two follow-up procedures to insure removal effectiveness: a “mop-up” removal the following year combined with the planting of competitive native species in newly exposed soil.

Suggestion to make pulling out ivy easier. Make sure ground/root area is damp. so much easier!!