The vine is likely a type of smilax. There are several kinds and one of the them (at least) does have thorns going right into the ground. This kind of smilax grows from a knotty tuber in the ground. One day when the ground is moist, try to dig it out. But it can be deep. Or cut it off and spray it with brush killer. If it sprouts back, just keep nipping it off and it may run out of energy one day. These guys are tough.

English ivy is really aggressive. Get it off the trees or it will just keep going (when it is climbing trees is when it produces flowers and fruit). Start by cutting the vines at the base of the tree and spray the cut ends (that go into the ground) with brush killer (not just regular round up).

Redtip is the common name for Photinia, a common shrub/tree that was used more in the past. It can get big.

Good luck and welcome!

Here is a link that might be useful: Smilax or greenbrier

thank you SO much! it is smilax and from what i've looked up i have quite a battle on my hands. i dug up more of the tuber...and found that it is extremely long and at least an 1 1/2" around. still can't believe anybody could let something this nasty just grow and grow right next to their house! maybe we should start a thread about the horrible things people did to our yards BEFORE we each moved in! anyhow, saw a topic about using round-up in florists vials directly on the plant that i am going to try with all my unwanted smilex and ivy. btw... dh laughed when i cursed wallyworld who is selling ivy in pots for 2.50 a pop!

I had quite a bit of it myself and found that it came in 3 distinct forms:

one with tiny little thorns clustered quite close together and a large potato like tuber,
one with less thorns and a root that resembles bamboo underground (and goes a long way) and knotty root mass, and
a third that is not as thorny but has very rough, mottled "skin" and the thorns are very large (never have discovered the root on this kind).

I have heard that Native Americans used to dig up the tubers and eat them (looks similar to a Jerusalem artichoke). I would not try that though.

I have it too, and think it's attractive, if it weren't for the thorns. luckily it's only on my big hill, which I want to go wild anyway. I usually just cut it down with my pruners when I walk around. The brambles are worse. Luckily I don't have ivy.

I do have poison ivy in the front, go figure.

I had the same problem when we moved into this house. My husbacd tried digging the tubers out, but found that if he left even a tiny piece, they resprouted. The best way that I found is to cut the vine back and when it starts to resprout, spray with something like Weed-b-gon mixed double strength. The leaves carry the solution down into the tuber and gradually kill it. It may take more than one season for a big tuber, but if you keep spraying the shoots, you will finally get rid of it. Then watch for the new plants that come up from seeds!!!

thank you so much for the help. my dh was outside yesterday digging up what he could of the root and came inside mummbling that no such monster plants exist in oh, which is where he is from.... got excited though when i noticed a wisteria blooming off a tree in the back this morning (in ky we actually buy it!) then noticed on the way to take the kids to school that there wisteria all over the place. what do you think. should i keep it or send dh to pull this up also? is it invasive or can i move it to someplace i would like it safely?

That is chinese or japanese wisteria. It is very invasive. As it begins to bloom, you may see huge stands of it in places. I have seen it engulf big stands of pine trees, going all the way to the top.

If you want wisteria, get the american one: Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'. I saw it in Home Depot just the other day.

wondering if i can get rid of the wisteria the same way as the ivy and smilax...you know, shovels, brush killer, and very sweet dh who will do anything to keep my preg self indoors .

Yep, that's the way to do it. Cut the woody part and apply brush killer. Sounds like an ideal DH for the part.