Re: Crotch of tree : vines etc?

I have bromeliads (mostly Billbergia, Aechmea and Neo's) growing in  the 
crotches of my trees.  They do wonderful there with no soil, much like  they do in 
nature.  I have read that the crotch should remain clear, it may  cause the 
tree to die.  However, if this happens naturally, and the plants  all thrive, 
how can it be harmful??  Is this only when one adds soil?   Apparently the 
reason the Bromeliads do so well is because they use the debris  water that 
naturally collects as fertilizer...collecting in the bromeliad  rather than the 
crotch of the tree....however, the bromeliads are in the  crotch.  Any thoughts??
 
Along the same lines....meant to ask several times...I read that vines  
climbing up a tree can kill it due to strangulation.  Is this true for all  
evergreen vines, or only a few???  I have fig ivy climbing all over my  Silver Maple. 
 It's all the way up to the very top.  I have not seen  any damage, it's been 
like that for years.  What are your experiences,  thoughts??
 
Appreciate the input.
 
Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast
 
In a message dated 3/6/2005 11:02:29 PM Central Standard Time,  
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:

one  thing mentioned in the pruning talk here was that narrow crotches
collect  more debris.  More material sits in the crotch and  rots.

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