Originally Posted by TREE-SURFER

I can't bare to see good looking trees with Ivy on them. And the owners are not generally bothered about it. However, DGRWINFELTON has recognised that there could be a future problem and also aesthetic related problems. My opinion is to have it removed, Sir, although if you are not able to manage this yourself, you would have to hire a professional climber to do this for you. This could cost you a fair bit, but it really is worth it. I once spent 6 hours removing ivy from a small Yew that had been nearly strangled by the stuff.
I have heard of people cutting the base of the ivy and steeping it with Sodium Chlorate, a very strong weed killer available for the public and killing it of, only to go dry and let the birds pick it off for their nests.