Virginia creeper isn't grown through a tree, which it would probably strangle, but on a wall.
See http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/7446.shtml
for info

It won't kill the tree if its kept in check - the risk is it will get to the top and completely exclude light and air from the crown, where all the foliage is, and that will slowly kill it over time.

The tree at the bottom of our lane has had a big one growing over it for the past 10 years and its not dead yet....but maybe its days are numbered! it does look lovely at this time of year though.