Oxygen, Vines And Walls

[Southsider]

We have a shared garden with a beautiful grapevine. One of the neighbours says we have to cut it all away as vines suck oxygen from the walls and make them crumble.
Has anyone ever heard of this before?
I am somewhat sceptical as she previously said that the vine made the walls damp.
Another week, another reason.

[Prudie]

No not heard that, I have a large grapevine. It does not put out suckers to walls at all unlike ivys and creepers. Sounds like rot to me.

[Zacs-Master]

Her reasoning seems to be flawed but her predictions are correct.
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/plants/mistakes.html

[Buenchico]

Walls don't need oxygen!

Further, your neighbour obviously skipped school on the day that they covered photosynthesis anyway!

[Prudie]

That's talking about wisteria though Zacs which does cling to walls. Grapevines don't.

[Zacs-Master]

Problematic large vines: Wisteria, English Ivy, Honeysuckle, Trumpet Vine, Grapes

[jomifl]

Prudie is absolutely correct, grapevines hang on by means of curly tendrils as they evolved to attach to vegetation rather than rocks. They don't penetrate buildings

[Zacs-Master]

Having read a little more, you are quite correct. Your neighbour is a numpty. I even found something which said the stickers can protect brickwork. Dangerous thing the internet.

[Southsider]

Thanks all. We have no wisteria. Just grape vine which dies away in the winter, and can be rem,bed easily, and honeysuckle, likewise.

[Southsider]

Zacs Master, can you point me to where you found this info please?

[boxtops]

Get her to show you the evidence to support her allegations, southsider - it's up to her to prove it, not for to defend it. She's talking rubbish.

[Chipchopper]

Grape vines support themselves, if not helped with ties, by means of tendrils.
They also produce oxygen!

[Old_Geezer]

I recall reading somewhere (sorry no link) that the idea plants damage the walls was mainly a myth since they protect the walls from weather for an overall gain. You might swish to search for such reports since if true, surely the walls would be less damp not more.

In any case, whose responsibility is the wall ? Is it not clear cut ? (No pun intended.)