I don't think so. I would say that unless the trees in your garden are very large then the ivy will choke the smaller trees. I only find it acceptable on trees in a forest environment not in a garden where it can become a menace.

From what I've read there are two schools of thought: one says, yes ivy will smother and kill trees, the other says no it doesn't. However, if the trees are large then cutting back the ivy is probably all you need to do, but if they're small then you do need to remove all of it.

Ivy just uses the trunks of trees to scramble up . It cannot kill a big tree but could kill a small tree by smothering its leaves. If it is growing all over the garden you will have to dig it out, quite a job. Leave some growing on a large trunk as it is good for wild life.

If a tree is old and weakening then ivy won't help. If the garden is two feet deep in ivy and you want to do some gardening you will have to remove it anyway - you can always leave a bit on the trees if you like the look of it. The only way to get rid is to first pull out as much as you can and then dig out the roots. You may find all sorts underneath - we found a wheelbarrow, a rotary clothesline and a traffic cone under ours at the last house we lived in.

The easiest way to get it off trees is to cut though the stems near the base and just leave it to die. After a few months it will go brown and brittle and you can just lift and drag. The thicker pieces make fantastic kindling for open fires.

Ivy's a stunning plant, grows and changes from a climber to more of a bush which flowers and provides nectar and berries. But..I do feel for you as we had a huge area covered with ivy which had crept out (triffid-like) from the tree line where it was growing up the trunks.
Not having a good back I spent a lot of time sitting and pulling it up bit by bit until the majority was clear, then digging over, without too much effort, and planting up, mulching kept it down and now I only have the odd bits come through and keep the creeping stuff under control with a chop through with the spade.
That growing up the trunks is left as shelter, nesting and wind break!

Thank you for your replies which have been helpful and I will see if I can manage to get more photos. I still struggle a little this website in getting to do what I want. I never see a place where I can reply.

You reply in the box under the last comment. if you click on "How do I say thanks" it explains exactly. You just did it! If there's any part of the site that puzzles you please just ask - loads of folk will be able and willing to help.

Interesting to hear of your finds under the ivy, Stera. I wonder what Ladycarpl will find.

The worst thing I did was to put a lot of ivy in the car to go to the tip - it came right up to the roof. But I left it a couple of days and discovered that Ivy Stinks!!! It was days before the smell cleared from the upholstery and the roof lining. I hope for Ladycarpl's sake she hasn't got as much as we had!

But I did use the barrow we found as a plant container, albeit a rather grotty one.