[jayerose]

What type of tool would I use to trim the front of this ivy?

And is there an electric tool also?

[villagetinker]

Not a gardener, but I would use an electric hedge trimmer, battery powered is generally safer.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Not a gardener, but I would use an electric hedge trimmer, battery powered is generally safer.

Why would they be safer?

[Babbs1957]

Battery is safer for someone like me. Over the last few years, I have hit the cord on my hedge trimmer twice and cut it. Once I got the battery one, I have yet to hit the cord!

[asianthree]

Since it’s growing on a trellis, next to the house. It would be hand trimmed at my house. There isn’t anyway to use a motorized battery, electric, or gas trimmer without doing damage to the trellis.

You could pull it away from the trellis, but unless you are trying to kill it. Technically it growing as it should, doesn’t need to be trimmed, but retrained. If not a fan put up a free sign and someone will dig it up

[Whatnext]

A pair of secateurs would be plenty for that.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by Whatnext

A pair of secateurs would be plenty for that.

Known in God's Country as "Pruners."

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by Whatnext

A pair of secateurs would be plenty for that.

I agree. I don't think it needs anything at this time, then just a little selective pruning.

[Ozzello]

Not ivy. Confederate Jasmine. If it was ivy, I would prune it 12" underground with a shovel. That jasmine doesn't need pruning till next spring.

[AZ SLIM]

We have a couple of Jasmin plants like that. Yours looks very nice. I agree that a hand pruner (secateurs) would work best. just cut the individual vines that you think are getting too long (or wrap them back into the trellis as suggested). Jasmin is very hardy and responds to pruning very well.

Ours are on a trellis away from the house. The last hurricane beat them up pretty badly and pushed the trellises over to a 45-degree angle. I had to cut a good portion of the plant away in order to stand them back up straight. The plants recovered nicely. They can really take a beating and come back strong.