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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Marc
Date Submitted: 7/4/2003
Location: Rex (Henry County), Georgia

Question Asked: I took these photos around my yard in Rex (Henry County), Georgia. They are mainly from my back yard, near the fence, and all were of a running vine type, either climbing a tree or the fence at the extreme rear of the yard. Beyond the fence there appears to be a forest full of this stuff.

Answer: Hi Marc -

You are right as that is poison ivy. The habit you mentioned is classic - along a fence, up a tree, along the ground. These vines look to be quite healthy - guess the weather has been good there. There are many tip offs here - the woody vine, the alternate 3 leaflet (trifoliate) leaves, the middle leaflet on a longer stem, the egg shaped leaflets. These plants are largely smooth with almost no lobes or teeth on the margins (edges). Poison ivy leaflets are highly variable and yours is pretty common. I see trees down in the background - if you chop up this wood for the fireplace, make sure that none of that has poison ivy on it. Burning poison ivy makes for some pretty nasty smoke.