It's really pretty hard to tell, but this is our ivy covered fence. And no, that's not your imagination. It is not straight and upright! The ivy has been neglected for a very long time. I let it go unchecked way back when. When the gardeners took over, they would shave it every now and then to even up the surface. It looked nice. But underneath, those vines were growing thicker and higher and digging their way between the fence boards.
I tried to take a picture of what the ivy is doing as it grows above the fence. The ivy that I think of with its delicate green vines grow thick like a tree trunk. In fact, we thought it was a tree on our neighbor's side. It turns out they thought it was a tree on our side! The "vines" are about 4-5 inches in diameter in some places!
As I cut away the old dead vines on our side, I found old dead leaves that had collected inside, turning to compost. Judging from the odor and scraps of plastic I found, I believe it was literally a rats' nest. Let me tell you, between the ivy growing between the fence boards, the compost and moisture rotting the wood, and the termites' damage, there's not much holding up the fence other than the remaining ivy.
It looks pretty ugly right now. I still hope to get a few more old vines off the fence. Soon there will be fresh green (and soft!) vines covering the fence and it will look a little better.
The fence really should have been replaced long ago. When we were renters, over 15 years ago, the fence was threatening to fall down. The landlord had metal posts put in to keep it up a bit longer. The thought of dealing with the ivy was overwhelming then. I will have to find a way to broach the subject of a new fence with our neighbors soon. When we do replace it, at least cutting back the ivy (on our side) will be manageable. I vow right now, to keep the ivy in check from now on!
I have to admit, as gross as it was to do, and as ugly as it looks right now, I feel better having done it.
