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Submitted by: Jerome Bruce
Date Submitted: 5/29/2003
Location: Bowie, Maryland
Question Asked: Attached are some photos taken from my backyard in Bowie, Maryland. My untouched backyard has full of trees and various plants & weeds. I saw these growing on the ground and continuing as a vine in a tree. Could you tell me if this is indeed poison ivy and how to kill these plants? I have three small children and I'm afraid that they will go to this area. And yes, you have permission to copy this photo. Please let me know. Thanks. Jerome Bruce Bowie, Maryland
Answer: Bruce - yes that certainly looks like poison ivy. There is a mix of some other plants in there but the predominant plant is poison ivy. You can see from the leaflet shape, aerial rootlets on the vine, a woody vine, and habit all point to that plant.
Control will require some planning and care to prevent getting a rash. You'll want to make sure that you don't use any powered tools like mower, weed whacker in this area as it just sends little bits of leaf, stem, urushiol oil into the air. I would recommend getting Brush-B-Gon or Roundup in the concentrate. Have a good sprayer and mix a bit stronger than recommended. Add a little liquid soap to the mix (like Dawn or Joy) to help this mixture to adhere better and do a better job. For the vines climbing up the trees, if you can get to the vine cut out a 2' section and pry off. This will kill the vine. You can then remove later after it dies off. Check out the control section for additional ideas. Oh - and be sure to wear long sleeves, pants, heavy boots when working on eradication. Clean all thoroughly when done. |
