Are climbing plants good or bad for trees ?

I have tall trees (30 to 50 feet) in my backyard (Maryland, not sure what type of trees) since it touches a small reseve/forest.
Many of them guests climbing plants that goes all the way to the top. Tree's diameter are about 14 inches and the climbing plants base are 1 to 2 inches.
I was entretaining the idea of taking the climbing planst off by cutting them at the base and waiting for them to dry to help the trees, but not sure if I would be doing good or bad.

Any suggestions ?

Virgina Creeper, honeysuckle, grape vines and ivies, as well as Kudzu and other heavy vines put an undue strain on a tree with their weight alone, and sometimes they twine around the branches so tightly that it literally chokes the life out of them. They also shade the sun out. A tree heavy with vines is not a tree that is going to survive for long, and the vines should definitely be cut and just allowed to dry and fall, if you cannot easily pull them down. Sometimes pulling on them causes more damage to the tree than the vines have already.

You can also get a bottle of brush killer, and paint it on straight on the newly cut vines, with a small paintbrush, to kill them out to the roots so they don't come back. You can get Brush and Stump KIller at your local nursery. Be sure not to get it on anything you do not want to kill, because it is a plant killer.

2007-12-25 14:05:49 by Emi | Posted in Garden & Landscape

How to prevent climbing plant to grow up over the roof or limit it's growth in any other direction?

We have very nice climbing plant all around the walls of the house.
The trouble is it wants to grow over the windows, doors and also managed to climb over the gully to the roof. I have to cut it often around the windows, but the roof is very high and I'm not very keen to climb it often.
But I would invest in some long term solution - like mounting some metal screens around the roof edge and around the windows, but I don't know what design would work?

the plant will grow to it's maximum potential size seeking light. I'm afraid the best way to deal with it is pruning. sorry.

2007-06-29 06:13:49 by Bostjan V | Posted in Garden & Landscape

What is the best and most beautiful and attractive climbing vine for a balcony?

I live in the second floor and I have a balcony that faces the west and I want to get a climbing vine that has beutiful flowers, beautiful color and fast growing.If there are pictures, I will be thankfull.
Is there a climbing vine that just climb around the vence of the balcony without climbing on the wall?
How long does a climbing vine need to grow?
I live in Kansas if that helps.

2008-04-10 11:21:54 by moonflower | Posted in Garden & Landscape

How do you make rock climbing a competition?

I was recently elected onto the executive board for my Jewish Youth Group. Part of being on board includes coming up with fun events to do as a group. So, I chose to promote a Rock Climbing night (at an indoor climbing facility, not outdoors). However, to get this idea to fly, I need to create a competition out of it. Does anyone have any ideas?

create a Flyer saying ... looking for greatest "Cliff Hanger" or "Rocky" or "Mr Rock Climber" or ....some thing.

Check out some of these Adventure and rock climbing competitions and find out from the Organizers

http://www.bigfatprize.com/prize/prize/fools-gold-10050-mile-mountain-bike-raceampfestival/

http://www.bigfatprize.com/prize/prize/indianapolis-adventure-race/

http://www.bigfatprize.com/prize/prize/raid-the-rock/

2008-07-03 18:53:49 by Lauren M | Posted in Other - Games & Recreation

How do I stop my cat climbing walls?

I have a two year old DSH cat. She has a huge climbing/ scratching post which she uses but whenever she gets the chance, she climbs the wall, ripping the paper. Im sick of redeocrating and cant think of anything to stop her. Any help would be greatly appretiated!

From my experience you can't. I have 2 cats and when they were young they virtually destroyed anything they could get at. I'm sure half of it's a territory thing. Bought them many toys which they both ignored completely as climbing the net curtains was much more fun. (the christmas tree became a nightmare every year.) Eventually they grow out of it. Do you let your cat out? If not that may cause it too. (Once mine were going out regularly they calmed down in the house quite a bit)
As for those that say get them declawed. You cruel people, cats have claws, if you can't handle that then maybe they are not the pet for you.

2007-03-13 07:43:36 by joannah b | Posted in Cats