Fast, effective, poison ivy/climbing vine killer?

[BufordTJustice]

I'm a homeowner, but occasionally do trail clearing and "tree saving" work in a local park - which brings me to my question.

There are some trees in the park which have some sort of thin climbing plants/vines (later to be thicker vines?) on them, and I'd like to remove them before they choke the tree.

The problem is that at the base of the tree there is what I *think* is poison ivy. The last time I tangled with it, I saved the tree, but lost bigtime to the ivy!

I'd be pleased to hear of any suggestions regarding how I can quickly and effectively defeat at least the poison ivy, so I can reach the tree trunk and either cut or spray the climbing vines.

Thank you!

**EDITED TO ADD**: First, thanks for all the suggestions.

*Just to be clear* - I don't want to nuke everything in the area I spray, including the trees I'm trying to save, so I'm thinking that Roundup/glyphosate isn't the way to go... but then again, there may be a targeted way to apply it safely without killing every living/growing thing in the area.

 

[Mad Professor]

Whenever I find PI on my property Roundup/Glyphosate

 

[djg james]

Plus one for Glyphosate. But be careful. Even though the vines are dead, there are still oils in the stems to infect you.

 

[lone wolf]

I'm a homeowner, but occasionally do trail clearing and "tree saving" work in a local park - which brings me to my question.

There are some trees in the park which have some sort of thin climbing plants/vines (later to be thicker vines?) on them, and I'd like to remove them before they choke the tree.

The problem is that at the base of the tree there is what I *think* is poison ivy. The last time I tangled with it, I saved the tree, but lost bigtime to the ivy!

I'd be pleased to hear of any suggestions regarding how I can quickly and effectively defeat at least the poison ivy, so I can reach the tree trunk and either cut or spray the climbing vines.

Thank you!

Pics of what you think is Poison Ivy?

 

[Cool Breeze]

Whenever I find PI on my property Roundup/Glyphosate

Plus one for Glyphosate. But be careful. Even though the vines are dead, there are still oils in the stems to infect you.

+3 - I buy the concentrate and mix my own.

 

[Stihlproincky]

I've used crossbow recently on any unwanted vines such as poison ive-oak, winter creeper, English ivy, also small trees. It'll kill pretty much anything, main ingredient is 2-4-d so safer to use near waterways than some things. It's expensive though

 

[Mad Professor]

+3 - I buy the concentrate and mix my own.

47% generic stuff. Just be careful using it.

I wear rubber gloves and muck boots, long sleeve clothing/pants, goggles. Avoid windy days. Wash up when done.

The rubber boots pretty much eliminate getting the PI on you if you walk through it. Some dish soap on those later too.

 

[Woody912]

I've used crossbow recently on any unwanted vines such as poison ive-oak, winter creeper, English ivy, also small trees. It'll kill pretty much anything, main ingredient is 2-4-d so safer to use near waterways than some things. It's expensive though

Crossroad is the generic, much cheaper and will not kill grass which can be a good thing.

 

[Stihlproincky]

Crossroad is the generic, much cheaper and will not kill grass which can be a good thing.

Well at $90 a gallon for crossbow concentrate, its is expensive to me. It works really good, and yes only targets woody/broadleaf plants. So a cheaper option with similar performance would be great.

 

[Paul Bunions]

Poison ivy is covered with oil that resists sprays. When I started spraying it, I found info out there saying to add dish soap to it.

I also learned that touching it isn't a problem unless the contact is strong enough to get the oil on you, and if you wash it off thoroughly within two hours, it won't cause a rash. You're supposed to use something like a washcloth and lots of soap, rubbing to get the oil emulsified so it rinses off.

I like to mix generic Roundup and 2,4D when I spray the tough stuff.

Not claiming to be an expert.

 

[BufordTJustice]

FIRST, thanks for all the suggestions!

*Just to be clear* - I don't want to nuke everything in the area I spray, including the trees I'm trying to save, so I'm thinking that Roundup/glyphosate isn't the way to go... but then again, there may be a targeted way to apply it safely without killing every living/growing thing in the area.

I'm gathering that Crossroad is a way (though $$) to kill the ivy without killing everything in the area? "Targeted" killing of undesirable things, without exposing myself to poison ivy/oak/whatever is what I'm trying to achieve.

Thank you.

 

[BufordTJustice]

Pics of what you think is Poison Ivy?

Here you go, and thank you!

 

[Paul Bunions]

Crossroad is 2,4D plus something called Triclopyr. I don't know Triclopyr, but 2,4D seems to kill everything but grass. I would expect it to destroy flowers and shrubs.

 

[BufordTJustice]

Plus one for Glyphosate. But be careful. Even though the vines are dead, there are still oils in the stems to infect you.

Excellent point. Thank you.

By "stems" do you mean any part of the ivy which is above ground - the leaves and the stems of the leaves?

Is there a way to de-oil the dead stuff/render it harmless?

 

[lone wolf]

View attachment 1183034View attachment 1183035View attachment 1183036Here you go, and thank you!

Oh yeah, stay away from that ****! Can you use loader on it so you don't go near it?

 

[BufordTJustice]

...I would expect it to destroy flowers and shrubs.

And trees?

 

[lone wolf]

And trees?

It might !

 

[BufordTJustice]

Oh yeah, stay away from that ****! Can you use loader on it so you don't go near it?

OH BABY, am I glad I had those pics to show!

No loader - this is in a public park/forest. It's a nice looking tree near the road, and I just want to save it from the "choked dead" fate of other trees where the vines and their leaves climb up the trunk and smother the tree.

 

[lone wolf]

OH BABY, am I glad I had those pics to show!

No loader - this is in a public park/forest. It's a nice looking tree near the road, and I just want to save it from the "choked dead" fate of other trees where the vines and their leaves climb up the trunk and smother the tree.

If I was going to tackle it, I would be in a machine. Don't go near it.

 

[Paul Bunions]

I would definitely expect it to kill trees if it touched enough leaves. But read up.