To be fair, the original poster (Ann) does not list where she is from, so English ivy may not be a problem in her area. I think most of us who do live in regions where it has become invasive are likely pretty aware of how damaging it can be. And, it does have its strong points - my older son has a steep slope on two sides of his yard that is covered in English ivy (came with the house when he bought it). It does want to creep into his lawn, but mowing keeps it in check, and at the foot of his slopes are city roads so that stops it at that end. Makes a nice lush evergreen approach to his house, with little maintenance or care needed (he is not a gardener). My younger son also bought a house that was riddled with English ivy, but his were growing up all his mature trees and shrubs, and he diligently cut it all out and burned it. I was surprised at how woody the stems were, those were hefty old vines.
And, as Rick points out, Ann has neither responded to this thread nor posted anything else, so she doesn't appear to be active.
