We got a lovely email from a viewer about sweet fern and his father:
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Information about poison ivy, oak, sumac and the skin rashes they cause
The Blog
Mowing poison ivy is a mixed bag:
It is good to mow it since that will keep it in check. Without leaves it can't survive, so it won't invade your lawn.
July 16, 2018 - 3:58pm
Every so often you may see this sort of strange growth on a poison ivy vine. We sent the photo off to poison ivy scientist John Jelesko and he reports as follows:
July 10, 2018 - 5:05pm
Poison ivy loves roadsides. It loves the sunlight. Birds drop the seeds there, often while sitting on power lines overhead.
We often see poison ivy growing over guard rails, but this example was particularly spectactular.
July 2, 2018 - 10:03am
I hope the folks that need to close this gate every evening realize that it is sitting right inside a nice garland of poison ivy.
June 26, 2018 - 10:05am
I once got one of the strangest phone calls of my life, and it was because of this website.
A fellow explained that he had a question about poison ivy and my answer might determine if he spent the rest of his life in prison.
June 25, 2018 - 2:20pm
This photo was sent by a viewer. And this might be the largest poison ivy leaf we have ever seen! Could be 6 x 8 inches, which is enormous.
Because of vastly increased CO2 in the atmosphere, poison ivy is growing larger (and more potent).
June 18, 2018 - 1:44pm
A viewer sent in this photo of a poison ivy (or possibly poison oak) vine.
What is striking about this image is how the leaves of three come off the main stem clearly alternating left and right. You rarely get such a clear view of how this works since the leaves usually hide the stems.
June 10, 2018 - 7:46pm
This photo was sent in by a viewer who wanted to know for sure if this monster was poison ivy.
The answer is... YES IT IS POISON IVY!!!
May 30, 2018 - 8:02pm
This is a photo of a poison ivy vine that was chainsawed along with the tree that it was climbing upon.
May 22, 2018 - 11:40pm
