Images of a Georgia backyard tree covered in poison ivy caught gardeners' attention on Reddit. The vine appeared to run roughly 50 to 60 feet up the tree, and commenters were quick to offer warnings about how to manage the infestation.
What happened?
In a Reddit post, a user said they were stunned while visiting a friend in Georgia after spotting a massive poison ivy vine that had overtaken a tree in the backyard. "He had no idea this was poison ivy. This is ~50-60ft tall and the vines covered most of the tree," the poster wrote, including images of the invading poison ivy.
People in the comments shared their own experiences with similar infestations. A couple of users recommended severing the plants at the base of their stems. In doing so, the long vines will eventually dry out and die, although commenters warned that dried vines can still be dangerous.
Commenters offered a range of suggestions for removing the poison ivy, but one piece of advice came up repeatedly: never burn it.
Many of them warned that the plant's irritating oils can become airborne in the smoke, exposing anyone nearby. Several users shared firsthand accounts of ending up in the hospital after burning poison ivy, describing severe reactions that included full-body rashes, swollen faces, and irritation to the lungs.
Why does it matter?
While poison ivy isn't technically invasive in Georgia, it is an aggressive grower that can be a major pain for homeowners.
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The images from the original poster are a reminder that poison ivy is not always a small plant on the ground. It can quickly mature and engulf other trees and vegetation in your yard. That creates a hazard for anyone pruning, clearing brush, or trying to reclaim garden space.
If you suspect poison ivy has invaded your lawn, never burn it, and avoid pulling or cutting it with bare hands. For large vines or widespread growth, professional help may be the safest route.
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