Oak Tree – Vines to Grow on It

Q: I had limbs removed from a dead oak tree. I allowed the twenty-foot-tall trunk to remain standing. What vine suggestions might you have?

A: Many would suggest English ivy but it will take years to climb up the trunk. I think crossvine is a much better option. It grows rapidly after establishment and sports a mass of bright orange flowers in May, blooming sporadically for the rest of the year.