It seems to me that poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) has become a much bigger problem in my garden over the last several years. Scientists confirm that higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere tend to enhance the growth of many weedy plants, including poison ivy. Mature vines produce seeds that are readily distributed by birds, and uncontrolled seedlings grow rapidly, even in deep shade, re-rooting along their stems.
In New England, poison ivy is native and grows in several forms -- a vine trailing along the ground which re-roots along the stem, a shrub-like plant reaching as high as 4 feet, and a climbing vine that can grow on shrubs and attaches to trees or another support. All forms have the distinctive three-lobed glossy leaves which, along with their stems and roots, release the toxic skin irritant named urushiol. Because I am so sensitive to its skin rash, controlling poison ivy around my yard has become one of my prime concerns.
Fortunately, late summer is the perfect time of year to eliminate poison ivy (and also many other woody vines like bittersweet, grapes, Virginia creeper and Baltic ivy). This is the time in their life cycle when woody plants are preparing for winter dormancy by building roots for their period of rest. When we disrupt this root-building process, we weaken them and reduce their ability to survive the winter.
Physically pulling out the vines from the ground can be effective way to control many vines, provided their roots are effectively removed to prevent re-growth. But because of its toxicity, pulling out poison ivy by its roots can be a dangerous process. Also, many vines have extensive root systems or multiple attachments to the ground that are difficult to eliminate in their entirety, and remaining roots often enable the vines to survive. Applying chemical herbicides is probably the safest and most effective way to control poison ivy.
Chemical herbicides can be classified by how their application affects plants.
- Non-selective herbicides, including Glyphosate (such as Roundup), affect plants by interfering with the synthesis of the essential amino acids that are needed for the plant to grow. These herbicides damage all plants they contact.
- Selective herbicides, which include chemicals like 2,4-D, 2,4-DP, dichlorprop, dicamba or triclopyr (labeled "poison ivy and brush killers"). These are growth regulators which damage or kill plants by causing rapid cell division and abnormal growth. These types affect broadleaf plants but do not damage grasses, so they can be used to manage woody weeds in lawns.
- Pre-emergent herbicides (such as Preen) prevent seeds from germinating and can control just-germinated seedlings. There are many types for controlling all types of weeds before their seeds germinate. Some formulations can cause damage to desirable plants -- read the label!
