Ivy is often seen as a destroyer of trees, but this has since been found to be untrue. Ivy climbs up its host but does not kill trees, it simply uses the tree for support to reach for sunlight as it has its own root system and does not the “strangle” the tree.

Ivy is a fantastic provider of food and shelter for many insects, such as bees, butterflies and hoverflies; it provides a much- needed late bounty of nectar and autumnal berries for foraging birds and small mammals. Bats will use it to roost in and it also provides great nesting sites and year round shelter for many birds.

Ivy as a Christmas decoration came from a superstition that house goblins were at their most malicious at Christmas time and its magical powers, along with Holly, would guard against them if hung around doors and on fireplaces.

It takes 10 years of growth for Ivy to start producing flowers and berries, so please think twice before cutting it down.