English Ivy is an Invasive Plant. Reston Association and many others say so. It grows over and up and into everything. It clogs storm drains. It invades and short-circuits pad-mounted transformer wiring. It digs into brick walls, fractures mortar, and won't let go. It damages tree bark, attracts gypsy moths, hides dangerous tree trunk defects, and smothers leafy branches, eventually killing otherwise healthy trees. It often grows in combination with Poison Ivy. And it shelters critters, including chipmunks, that some Members consider to be pests.
However, English Ivy also provides excellent ground cover that controls soil erosion because its vast root systems anchor soil and help keep it from washing away. It costs very little to maintain. It can be very expensive to replace. And in the eyes of many Members it looks just fine.
The RA Environmental Resource Team position on English Ivy is that they " ... encourage, but do not require, the removal of existing invasive species from private property, including Cluster common property." Furthermore, " ... Plants already in place ... are grandfathered in, or exempt, from removal. ... " A related RA brochure identifies eight common Invasive Plants, including English Ivy, that should not be planted in Reston after May 22, 2008.
In addition, RA Design Guidelines for Cluster Common Area Landscaping state that "DRB review is required for regrading or other erosion control projects. Any such installation which alters the existing flow of water must not detrimentally affect neighboring properties or compromise the health of trees and existing vegetation."
Fairfax County also regulates erosion control and land disturbances, including cutting down trees or shrubs, excavating, grading, or adding fill dirt. FC requires a Site Permit, Grading Plan, and Conservation Deposit for projects that will disturb 2,500 s.f. or more of land.
The HCA position is that Members should not remove Hickory Cluster Common Area trees or plants, including English Ivy, or other cluster common property without first consulting and coordinating with the Board of Directors. HCA has incurred thousands of dollars in unnecessary and unplanned landscaping expenses paid for by all residents to replace erosion control ground cover because of well-meaning but unauthorized removal by individuals.
Members can also help HCA trees live longer and reduce tree removal costs by cutting and clearing English Ivy and other vines at tree trunk ground level. And by removing as much trunk-attached ivy as possible. This has been an easy and effective Cluster Clean-Up task for several years. Removing vines from Goodman House brick and rear patio walls also helps maintain their integrity and appearance.
In response to recent concerns, HCA will be consulting with knowledgeable and experienced professionals to assess and propose budget-conscious solutions to related storm water runoff, storm drain, soil erosion, pad-mounted transformer, and ground cover landscaping and planting issues, hopefully consistent with the pending Stream Restoration project and with original Hickory Cluster modern landscape architecture intent, design, and construction.