Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Information Center

Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Jo Smith
Date Submitted: 5/26/2003
Location: not given

Question Asked: This is growing at the back fence of my house in two different corners. One is growing up by an old tree stump and at first I thought the tree was growing back. Now I'm not so sure. Please advise if this is poison ivy or not. Thank you!

Answer: Hi Jo - this tricky tree does like to fool us into believing its poison ivy. It's an ashleaf maple otherwise known as a boxelder. The opposite leaves along the trunk and even the green trunk itself is the key. The young tree tends to have 3 leaflets per leaf and as it gets older, you'll see more of the 5 leaflets per leaf.