Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac

Nothing can ruin a lovely day of gardening like getting tangled up in a poisonous plant. Follow the tips below to learn how to identify and remove these pesky plants.

Identifying Poison Ivy, Sumac and Oak

Poison Ivy usually has three broad, spoon-shaped leaves or leaflets ("Leaves of three? Let it be!"). It may grow as a climbing vine or a low, spreading vine that sprawls through grass. Poison ivy can also grow as a shrub. Know what “leaves of three” look like. Poison ivy’s compound leaf is made of two pointed leaves of the same size directly across from each other. The middle leaf has a slightly longer stalk and cone at the end of the stem.

Poison ivy is most often green, but can also be red in the spring, and yellow or orange in the fall. The edges of a poison ivy leaf can either be smooth, or have ridges.

Poison Sumac has 7 to 13 leaflets per leaf stem. The leaves have smooth edges and pointed tips. Poison sumac grows as a shrub or small tree. It is found in wooded, swampy areas, such as Florida and parts of other southeastern states, and in wet, wooded areas in the northern United States.
Poison sumac has the same toxic oil as poison ivy, but it is far more potent. According to some botanists, poison sumac is the most toxic plant species in the United States.

Poison Oak has leaves that look like oak leaves, usually with three leaflets per group. It grows as a vine or a shrub. Poison oak is more common in the western United States, but it is also found in the eastern United States and, rarely, in the Midwest.
Treating Poison Ivy, Sumac, and Oak

The potent oil in these poison plants is called urushiol (you-ROO-she-all), and it can remain active on any surface for up to five years. Wash your clothing immediately after coming in contact with poison ivy, sumac, or oak.

The best way to avoid being injured by one of these poisonous plants is to remove them from your property. Follow these steps for safe removal:

1. Dress for battle. All parts of the plant contain a toxic resin, so when removing the poison plant, always wear rubber gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants tucked into socks and boots or shoes that can be hosed off later.

2. Time your attack. A dry day with no wind is the safest time for removing poison ivy, especially if you will be using an herbicide spray.

3. Cut plants to ground level. With shears or pruners, remove all the stems you can see and dispose of them in plastic garbage bags. Don't tear or rip the vines as this may disperse the resin into the air.

4. Dig out roots if you can. If there are only a few plants to remove, use the shovel to remove the roots. Bag these also for removal.

5. Destroy what's left. If you have many plants spread over a large area, cut as much of the top growth as you can, and then spray the remaining roots, stems and stubs with a chemical weed killer containing glyphosate (such as Roundup) or triclopyr (such as Ortho's Brush-B-Gon). For thick, shrubby stems, spray directly onto the cuts you've made. Remember to use extreme care when handling these herbicides, as the spray will kill all other garden plants it touches. Always follow the directions on the label for safest use.

6. Dispose of properly. Do not compost, shred or burn poison ivy, sumac, or oak. Inhaling the smoke can cause serious injury to your lungs. Put the plant parts in heavy plastic bags, tie the bags securely and put them in the trash. If you used rubber gloves, discard these as well.

7. Disinfect your clothes and your tools. Tools used for removing poison ivy, sumac, or oak must be disinfected. Rinse your pruners and shovel, including the handles, with rubbing alcohol. Let them dry and then oil the parts to prevent rust. Likewise, the clothes you have on while removing the plants must be cleaned. Wash your clothing separately and clean your boots or shoes with cold, soapy water and a hose.