It is evergreen.
Beautiful, decorative, and produces a large number of heart-shaped leaves in various colors.
Of course, it is extensively farmed, but owing to its fast development, it isn’t always necessary.
Ivy is a creeping vine that smothers structures and sprawls across the ground.
It isn’t shy to show its aggressive growth- at all.
But what if your neighbor plants this plant on your fence, should you let this happen or not?
This question will be answered in this post.
You may rest guaranteed that we’ll tell you whether or not your neighbor is allowed to grow ivy on your fence. Continue reading to learn more!
Can My Neighbor Grow Plants Like Ivy on My Fence?
It is unavoidable.
Your neighbor could plant trees, shrubs, or vines that most likely will start growing over your fence. So, can they grow plants on your fence? Yes, they can, but only if you’re OK with it.
As long as you have no problem with it, they can grow plants on your fence. If not, request that they take down their plants from your side of the fence and give your sincere reasons.
You as a landowner have the right to demand that a neighbor’s trees, shrubs, or plants that extend over his property to yours have their branches or roots clipped at the neighbor’s expense.
How Do I Stop My Neighbor’s Vines From Growing on The Fence?
Vines could be disturbing to certain homeowners, and if you’re one of them, you have the opportunity to stop them from growing on your fence.
However, you might want to do this with your neighbor’s response in mind. Here’s what we suggest you do:
Have a talk with your neighbor about their vines: Come to think of it, the best step to deal with vines is to speak with the owner.
By initially having a nice chat with your neighbor about the matter, you can prevent vines from growing on your fence.
If talking doesn’t work (which most likely would), you have every legal right to clip any vines or branches that have grown over the fence on your side.
This is totally necessary.
Overgrown vines that fall to your side of the fence can cause damage to it.
It can cause damage to your roof or gutter if they grow long enough.
Also, if dead leaves gather in that location and cause issues, you’ll have to clean or repair it again.
What Can I Do About My Neighbor’s Ivy Coming Through the Fence?
Dealing with vines, especially the persistent, aggressive ivy is a major difficulty in this scenario.
Why?
The ivy plant has already started growing through your fence.
Nevertheless, what should you do?
Not to worry, here are a few actions you can take:
Tell your neighbor how you feel about cleaning up after his plants on a regular basis. Maybe tell them that cleaning vines from your fence is extra stress you wish you didn’t have to deal with. What are the chances? Your next-door neighbor could be understanding.
On the other hand, if you’d rather not approach your neighbor, there are various options for removing the vines and preventing them from crossing your fence:
1. Using herbicides: You can cut your side of the vine and apply herbicide. What it does is inhibit vine development, but you must apply cautiously to avoid killing the whole ivy( your neighbor won’t like that)
2. You can clip the ivy that grows on your side of the fence.
Where?
At the stem or uproot the plant from the ground.
Can I Trim The Ivy on My Fence?
Yes, you can. You can clip pieces of the ivy on your side away. If your neighbor planted the ivy, it’s obvious he/she likes it so don’t completely remove it, or you can suffer repercussions.
You do, however, have the right to maintain your side of the fence as clear of ivy as possible.
Here are a few things to do to prune the ivy on your side of the fence:
Identify the branches that can be cut off and apply a herbicide to the freshly cut stems. This will stop the branch from developing any further.
When using herbicide, you have to be cautious because it can be hazardous to some persons, especially those living next to you.
Can My Neighbor Attach Things To My Fence?
According to the law, neighbors have no authority to connect their fences to the rightful owner’s own if the fence is entirely built on such person’s land.
So, can your neighbor attach things to your fence? No, they cannot. Your next-door neighbor is not authorized to attach objects (plant pots, lights, or any other thing) to your fence if you own it and have not specifically permitted them to do so.
It’s your fence. Without your consent, no one may attach anything to it. You have the legal right to take necessary action if such a situation plays out.
Even if it causes no harm? Yes, even if it causes no harm, it is not within their rights to do so.
It makes sense not to call it just a barrier; it’s your home.
Can Neighbor Lean Things on My Fence?
Your neighbor cannot lean things on your fence, especially if the fence is exclusively on your property and your neighbor is leaning heavy objects against it.
If the fence is on both of your properties, you might need more than just a word of mouth to prove to your neighbor that your property is being damaged.
If it happens that there’s damage.
Now, there’s a chance that the fence is on your neighbor’s property, you must still establish that the neighbor’s acts are causing damage to yours.
How?
Chatting with the neighbor in a friendly manner could persuade them to reason with you and stop the act.
Will Ivy Damage My Fence?
Ivy is capable of causing damage to your fence. However, it depends on the type of fence you have.
Here are the effects of Ivy on some fence types:
1. Wooden fences
Ivy holds moisture, which allows mildew and rot to grow on wooden fences.
Sometimes, Ivy can grow between boards and in crevices in the wood grain which will deepen fractures, pry open joints, weaken the planks and ruin the structural integrity of your wooden fence.
What about insects and bugs that love eating away at timber constructions? They can be found in Ivy.
It is safe to say that when you have a wooden fence, do your best to maintain it because it’s the most vulnerable when it comes to damage.
2. Vinyl fences
If you have a vinyl fence, it will not deteriorate when ivy grows on it- good for you.
Although vinyl does not decay, if it is not cleaned regularly, it can get infested with algae and insects, which you don’t want.
3. Metal fences
Do you have a metal fence? You’re in luck.
Any sort of vine will work on a metal fence, and you won’t have to remove any ivy.
Because of its corrosion resistance, metal fences are well adapted to growing vines without suffering any damage whatsoever.
4. Stone fences
It’s no news, fences made of stone are stronger and can withstand the pressure caused by plants.
However, when you have a stone wall that isn’t mortared, ivy can damage it because there are many nooks and fissures where ivy roots might take hold.
If you try to remove the plant after this, you risk destroying the wall or bringing it down.
To prevent this, ensure your stone fence is well mortared and you’re good to go.
5. Brick fences
When you own an ancient brick house or fence it’s important to take care of it.
The mortar in older brick houses has deteriorated. As a result, you should avoid planting ivy on them. Because if you plant ivy on one of your home’s walls or a fence adjacent to it, the ivy might extend into your home and eat away at the mortar. This might jeopardize the structural integrity of your home.
6. Painted fences
You should not have ivy growing near your painted fence or home exterior if you have painted it or had art done on it.
Why?
This is because if the plant gets hold of a painted surface or surfaces, removing it will cause the paint to peel or tear apart.
7. Unsound/Old fences and structures
When you have structures that aren’t sound, it’s a recipe for disaster when you plant ivy or allow ivy to have its way there.
If you have an ancient wall or fence nearby, you should avoid growing ivy.
Ivy’s growth is incredibly heavy, and it has the potential to bring down any unstable structure, causing damage that is beyond repairs.
Conclusion
We’re here and you would have realized the answer to the question: can your neighbor grow ivy on your fence?
The answer is, it depends.
Yes, if you are OK with it and you give them permission to.
What if you don’t want anything to do with ivy?
Then you’re at liberty to speak with your neighbor and ask them to have it cut off from your side of the fence.