An Aussie gardener has warned of the damage caused by an invasive plant often spotted in gardens across the country. Nathan Stafford, of Nathan’s Lawns and Gardens, told Yahoo News Australia that if left unchecked, it can cause serious damage to the house structure which could cost homeowners ‘thousands’ to fix.
The Sydney gardener saw first-hand the destructive nature ivy — an evergreen climbing vine in the Ginseng family — can have after being called to a property in Strathfield on Friday. Tasked with removing 15 years of growth at the rental home, Stafford spent 40 minutes clearing the ‘jungle’ that had formed in the backyard.
However, it was only after he’d ripped down the strands of ivy, which had covered the whole side of the house, that he realised the damage it’d caused after years of neglect.
“This stuff is pretty strong. It was really ripping apart the foundation,” he told Yahoo News Australia on Sunday. “It’s just the worst.”
“The ivy was creeping in through the window and all that structure, the wooden frame was starting to rip back.
“The bricks under the window sill were falling apart big time, and because it’s an old house, all the wooden beams leading up to the roof were being pulled at”.
Additionally, Stafford, who’s grown a healthy fan base on social media, said the ivy was putting pressure on the roof tiles by “creating gaps” which is hugely problematic when it rains.
“The water will start finding a way into the house. It’s just a nightmare,” he said.
Ivy a ‘major problem’ across Australia
Ivy has been recognised as a serious environmental weed in several states of Australia, including NSW. It’s become a major problem in many areas as it invades forests, riverside habitats and roadside vegetation.
While this particular weed had been growing for 15 years, it only takes a couple before the ivy can cause damage to a structure. “Once you let it go you’re going to be up for thousands if you don’t stay on top of it,” Stafford warned.
Gardener’s response to critics
After posting the transformation on social media the popular gardener was met with comments from people suggesting the garden “looked better before”. And while Stafford agrees that greenery is preferred, “it had to be cut back as it’s damaged the house,” he said.
Previously, Stafford was tasked with tackling the country’s ‘most overgrown yard’, warning Aussies of the dangers associated with excessive growth.
Meanwhile, another gardener warned of a different invasive plant commonly found in Aussie gardens that’s no doubt ‘destroying their surroundings’.
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