penumbra
Imperial Masterpiece
When I was young I got PI rash every year multiple times. I think if I stare intently at it I will catch it. Once I had PI rash in my lungs and was in the hospital.
Starting My Poison Ivy Over Again
- Thread starter CapeCodBonsai
- Start date
prunusbythesea
Seedling
That’s unfortunate. I also would not mess with them, and I don’t have an oyster farm.
Calnicky
Mame
You people are NUTS! I've had rashes from both poison Ivy (on the East Coast) and poison oak (on the West Coast). Poison Oak is much deadlier than the ivy variety, but I wouldn't collect either with a gun to my head. Had to have a cortisone shot once from a poison oak infection. YUCK!!!
CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
My God, that’s beautiful. I can’t stop looking at it!
Thanks a lot . . . now I want a poison oak also!
I sure hope I don’t get a reaction to urushiol.
Asymetrix
Yamadori
Poison Ivy is a decent candidate for bonsai. It has amazing fall colors and also produces fruit. It is perhaps considered "novelty" but that's merely because it's obviously difficult to work with - and on that a word of caution.
If you choose to work with it, you need to protect all exposed areas of your skin - not just your hands. You also should wear an effective mask/respirator.
When you cut into it the allergen (which I believe is an oil but would need to confirm) can easily reach your skin and also be inhaled into the lungs.
It is worth noting you can build a very strong resistance to poison Ivy with gradual exposure to the plant. Some people even go as far as ingesting the new leaves on an increasing basis - this is actually an ancient technique.
You can never be "immune" but you can be resistant. When I used to spend many days in the woods I built a resistance through constant exposure and never suffered despite brushing into and bushwhacking through deciduous forests in Illinois.
If you collect one I'd aim for a medium sized trunk of 1-2" diameter. The very large stumps I have found will die back to base but I may have just been unlucky.
If you choose to work with it, you need to protect all exposed areas of your skin - not just your hands. You also should wear an effective mask/respirator.
When you cut into it the allergen (which I believe is an oil but would need to confirm) can easily reach your skin and also be inhaled into the lungs.
It is worth noting you can build a very strong resistance to poison Ivy with gradual exposure to the plant. Some people even go as far as ingesting the new leaves on an increasing basis - this is actually an ancient technique.
You can never be "immune" but you can be resistant. When I used to spend many days in the woods I built a resistance through constant exposure and never suffered despite brushing into and bushwhacking through deciduous forests in Illinois.
If you collect one I'd aim for a medium sized trunk of 1-2" diameter. The very large stumps I have found will die back to base but I may have just been unlucky.
Paradox
Marine Bonsologist
Grows like crazy here. Big trees of it. I don't care what kind of colors it turns in the winter. Poison ivy LOVES me. I can't get anywhere near it so that is one plant I'll not touch.
I'll stick with my burning bush and maples for nice fall color...lol
I'll stick with my burning bush and maples for nice fall color...lol
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vesper818
Mame
Well, I'm tempted, but temptation, if resisted will flee. One advantage to bonsai is I can have world of fall color on my apartment balcony. Fall is the best time to hike here in on the coast. The poison oak sents out the brilliant warning beacon against dusty gold or dark green foliage. I'll admire from afar.
Michigan Tree Murderer
Masterpiece
Leaves of three, let it be. Think I learned that in cub scouts 40+ years ago. I could walk out back and grab you one, but I learned a saying 40+ years ago. 
CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
Oh, come on! Take one for the team!!Leaves of three, let it be. Think I learned that in cub scouts 40+ years ago. I could walk out back and grab you one, but I learned a saying 40+ years ago.
Jrmcmich
Shohin
You can always have help wiring it too with someone your not crazy about
Balbs
Shohin
I’m just up the highway from the cape and I have so much I’ve considered renting a goat. It’s definitely around.
CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
If you ever find a girthy one, let me know and I will come take it away for you.
(Poison Ivy . . . not a girthy goat)
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Trigobontree
Sapling
I have probably have over an acre of it scattered around my yard and in my woods down in CT. Never bothered to remove it specifically because no one in my family is allergic to it. I’d be surprised if we didn’t have some gnarly ones somewhere on the property. I’ll keep my eye out the next time I’m frolicking in the woods.
CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
Maybe I can bring you something you don’t have as a trade.
Trigobontree
Sapling
I’d feel real bad taking anything in exchange for poison ivy hahaha.
I’ll take a look this weekend and grab some photos if I find anything worth finding. If there’s something there you want, you can have as much as you want free of charge.
CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
Then think of it as a gift for your kindness. That needs to be celebrated more than ever these days.
cbroad
Omono
Hard to tell from your first pic, but this plant looks to have an alternate leaf arrangement. Maples are opposite. I think you do have poison ivy.
Also I remembered hearing Acer griseum's seeds are supposedly sterile, so chances may be slim it's a volunteer from one.
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CapeCodBonsai
Shohin
You’re right, they do seem to be arranged alternate. I was going to take a closer look at that when it stopped raining. The thing that convinced me that it wasn’t poison ivy was the middle leaflet petioles, which mine is lacking.
I know that there is a lot of variation in poison ivy but, I thought that center petiole was a constant.
I hadn’t heard that.
I’ve ordered Acer griseum seeds from both FW Schumacher & Sheffield’s Seeds and have successfully germinated them. Although those trees are way ahead of this little mystery seedling, they are still too young to tell if they will be true to seed (exfoliating bark) . . . but, I have no reason to believe that they won’t.
