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Does ivy cause damage growing on a brick wall?

Experts at the New York Botanical Garden say it is possible for ivy to damage walls that are already in bad condition. Mortar that is in good shape is not normally subject to any damage.

A thick growth of ivy traps moisture against the walls. The adhesive disks that attach the ivy to the wall decay over time. This and other organic matter forms humic acid, which is capable of dissolving carbonate rock (such as marble) and lime mortar.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October ro, 1994, p. A7.

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