Information about poison ivy, oak, sumac and the skin rashes they cause
I was driving along and noticed this monster growth of poison ivy in someone's yard, along with various children's toys. So I knew that kids were at risk of the kind of rash that ruins the whole summer.
Poison ivy climbs a dead tree, looking for light. When it reaches the top, it spreads out in all directions, a sort of poison ivy explosion, looking for more light and for the next thing to climb upon.
Here is a new one: a poison ivy vine growing out of the crotch of a maple tree, about 5 feet from the ground.
The roots don't wrap around the tree and touch the ground: they either start and stop right in the crotch, or even stranger, grow INSIDE the tree trunk.
A viewer sent in this memorable photo of a tree covered with poison ivy – at a bus stop.
We got a lovely email from a viewer about sweet fern and his father:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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