Should we remove these vines?

I need help deciding whether to remove these vines from the side of our house. It is a stone house and we think they may damage the masonry if we leave them up.
Any advice??
  14 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Oct 23, 2014
    Judging by the color, I believe your vine is Virginia creeper. Virginia creeper, and its cousin, Boston ivy, have specially modified tendrils with flattened tips called holdfasts which quite literally glue themselves to supporting structures like the side of your house. The Royal Horticultural Society in the UK says these vines "do not usually cause damage to wall surfaces." https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=258
    • See 4 previous
    • Amy Ogden-Paparone Amy Ogden-Paparone on Oct 25, 2014
      He's just being modest, the man is a horitculture(r) genius!
  • Shannon Gallagher Shannon Gallagher on Oct 23, 2014
    I would say leave them but monitor closely. Vine can damage you wall or the mortar between bricks and stones, weakening your walls. I do love the way the look though
  • Jill Wright Jill Wright on Oct 23, 2014
    They are gorgeous and give so much character to the house. I would do a more thorough check to see if they really are causing damage before you remove them. They are lovely!
  • Alice Shockley Alice Shockley on Oct 23, 2014
    They are beautiful and give your home such a unique look. Find out what type they are and do some research. You might check and see if you can tell how it attaches. English Ivy (which this is NOT) actually bores holes into the mortar. That's why it's bad. But if it just clings in some other manner, on the surface, it should be fine.
  • Rusty Avery Rusty Avery on Oct 23, 2014
    Cynthia, You can check with your local Master Gardener at your local university. They can tell you what your climber is and if it will hurt your brick home. You might check the Doug Green web site I believe he is in your country.
  • Chris aka monkey Chris aka monkey on Oct 23, 2014
    @Cynthia Weber @ A Button Tufted Life... listen to @Douglas Hunt he is the man when it comes to living growing things..i love the vines xx
  • The only concern that I have is the ants that can be drawn into the house as the vines continue to develop. Try to keep them from getting into the eave area of the house as they will continue to grow even larger. But as Douglas has suggested if they are indeed that type of vine you should be ok. But get them identified up close to be sure. Some vine types can be quite destructive to mason surfaces. Pretty House by the way.
  • Rosemary Kelly Rosemary Kelly on Oct 24, 2014
    Your home is beautiful. Definitely get some professional advice for this treasure! This is the Kresge Foundation Home in Troy, Michigan.
  • White Oak Studio Designs White Oak Studio Designs on Oct 24, 2014
    What a beautiful home and property! Can't wait to se more picture. Please keep us informed.
  • Lainie Jo Lainie Jo on Oct 24, 2014
    I'd definitely keep a close eye! I have previous clients that had beautiful vines on their home. They had to tear out all the original wood work in the library after they realized the vines had caused structural damage to the roof and walls.
  • Chris Sabol Chris Sabol on Oct 24, 2014
    If they are anything like English Ivy, wait until they are dried up (cold weather) for the season before you pull them off. They come off easier and do little to no damage when taking them off.
  • Shira Shira on Oct 30, 2014
    They are beautiful, I hope that you are able to keep them.
  • Leanna McLeod Somers Leanna McLeod Somers on Jan 26, 2015
    I saw many homes in Scotland with ivy vines... looks sooo beautiful. I'm thinking its okay to leave them ... or are they removed now?!
  • Elaine Elaine on Sep 29, 2016
    This was always a debate between my husband and I!! He was worried so he wanted them removed while I wanted them left alone. I was born in England where many, many homes are covered in ivy. I returned for a holiday 54 years after moving to Canada and the houses were STILL standing! That settled the debate! lol.