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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Dan Gardner
Date Submitted: 6/1/2003
Location: Nashville, TN

Question Asked: We have been pulling the climbing vines out of our oak and walnut trees here in Nashville, TN. I have never had a reaction to the vines and still have not to the ones I am sending pictures of. The 3 leaf vines are quite common here. Just trying for a positive ID.

(Second picture:) This is from one of the more mature vines in our trees here near Nashville, TN. No reaction, rash or irritation from handling these. Please let me know if I am into the poison stuff or not. These vines go 20 or 30 feet up the trees we have here

Answer: Hi Dan -

Though there is no vine to view (that allows for positive id), I'm leaning towards poison ivy for this one. Look at that black at the base of the leaf (this is a single leaf with 3 leaflets) of the first pictuure. I'm guessing that it is oxidized urushiol oil. These leaves do look like poison ivy - a positive id would come from the vine. How did it hold on to the host tree? Did it have rootlets? Great pictures with incredible detail - Thanks!