About the project

English ivy is an invasive vine that climbs and smothers trees. Its weight makes trees more likely to fall, it hides decay and pests, and over time it can kill even large, healthy trees. You can learn more about it from Tree Baltimore's Weed Warriors certification program, and from their informative video on removing ivy.

The Ivy Project is a personal, unofficial volunteer project for mapping trees that are being overtaken by ivy. It is not an official Tree Baltimore or City of Baltimore program, but it is inspired by Tree Baltimore's long-running push to train residents to remove invasive vines from local trees.

The project functions as a practical map and coordination tool, motivated by the highly-satisfying effect of visualized task lists. Volunteers report trees, share Tree Baltimore's resources with property owners, record permission, and offer free removal where appropriate. It is privately run, but hopes to attract other volunteers. There is plenty of work to go around.

How it works

• Anyone can browse the map of open and resolved trees.
• Approved contributors add trees by photographing them.
• We mail property owners a friendly flyer with a QR code so they can give permission online.
• Once the ivy is removed, the tree is marked resolved.

Many thanks to Councilman Ryan Dorsey, who provided inspiration.

A project at ivy.waypost.net.