Re: Hydrangea...vines growing thru shrubs/trees

In a message dated 3/1/00 4:37:30 AM Central Standard Time, mtalt@CLARK.NET
writes:

<< but vines with holdfasts don't 'hurt' masonry. >>

Hi Marge and all,

I have a Climbing Hydrangea (H. anomala petiolaris) "growing" up my big Green
Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Marshall's Seedless'?).  After 2 years it's only
about 2 feet tall.  I have heard it takes 3 or so years before it takes off
and I keep wondering if when it does, will it hurt my tree??.  I don't know
how dense this vine gets because I've never actually seen one in person (I
only planted it after hearing how nice it looks in all seasons).  1.) Is my
tree in danger of being strangled?  2.) Is it the lack of sunlight that is
hard on trees when vines grow up them?

It would be very helpful to have a list of vines that can safely grow up
trees and shrubs (safe for the tree and shrubs, that is) and vines that would
be safe to grow up them.  I assume the density of a vines leaves is one
factor, as well as how big the vine gets, so I s'pose the list would have to
say something about the size of the tree/ shrubs that can safely handle the
vine. 3.) Is there a list or site where this info is available?  4.) How do
the vines cope with competition for nutrients and water from the roots of the
tree/shrub?? (or vice versa)

I do have 2 Clematis, 'Duchess of Edinburgh' (6'-8' tall) and 'Mrs.
Cholmondeley' (12-16' tall) growing through my Chinese Lilacs (Syringa x
chinensis), and so far so good, but it's only been about 3 years and the
Clematis are just now reaching the tops of the Lilacs.  (These heights are
taken from Jim Fisk's book "Clematis, the Queen of Climbers", which could be
the sizes they get in England)

Thanks for any input!

Cindy Johnson
White Bear Lake, MN
zone 4a

p.s. I numbered my questions to make this easier to read, since my posts tend
to be on the long side.  Either that, or I got carried away in my effort to
be accurate with the botanical and common names. Geez, even my postscrpts
tend to be long!!!
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