Poison ivy, a curse on humanity!

[vette-kid]

Was trimming up the back of our lot, lots of sago's and done oak trees. Apparently it's been long enough since I encountered the itchy stuff that I wantwa paying attention and not my arms and face are covered in it!

Guess I'm just complaining, but why; oh why, is this stuff allowed to exist!? I'm miserable!

 

[Sheal]

It's not a problem we have here in Britain vette-kid but I'm sure we have other nasties that can match it. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[vette-kid]

It's not a problem we have here in Britain vette-kid but I'm sure we have other nasties that can match it. I hope you feel better soon.

I'm moving!

 

[Sean Regan]

Love that record.
I've got a copy in one of my jukeboxes.

This is on the "B side."

 

[La Garden]

Odd thing, but I can go out and pick the stuff and have never had a rash or other problems with poison ivy or poison oak. The down side is when some was spotting I was always called in to come clean it out.

 

[vette-kid]

Odd thing, but I can go out and pick the stuff and have never had a rash or other problems with poison ivy or poison oak. The down side is when some was spotting I was always called in to come clean it out.

come on over!

 

[DirtMechanic]

Was trimming up the back of our lot, lots of sago's and done oak trees. Apparently it's been long enough since I encountered the itchy stuff that I wantwa paying attention and not my arms and face are covered in it!

Guess I'm just complaining, but why; oh why, is this stuff allowed to exist!? I'm miserable!

You wanna know how to never get it again? You are gonna feel stupid when I tell you.

 

[La Garden]

come on over!

If it was not a (guessing not knowing loc) 14 hour drive I would be happy to help.

 

[vette-kid]

You wanna know how to never get it again? You are gonna feel stupid when I tell you.

I'd rather feel stupid than itchy. Besides the obvious, pay attention and don't touch it!

 

[DirtMechanic]

Use a proper wash cloth. There are many soaps that work, but without a washrag the oil remains to some degree causing dermatitus. The soap just has to remove oils, which thankfully all but the most gentle soaps are designed to do. There is a timing element, but it is longer than you would think, at least 4 hours in my experience. I actually use two wash rags; one for an intitial ivy oriented wash which I remove from the shower when done and one to wash normally to ensure I did not miss a spot. I run a trimmer and carry on in the yard and in our understory in shorts due to the heat of summer and it used to be a drag.

I had a cat named Hemi that would rub my legs begging food when I went into the kitchen. His fur was the last source of dermatitus that plagued me. But I learned to wear pajama pants or sweats inside during ivy season. I miss him but not his evil ways.

Here is the video that taught me what to do.

 

[vette-kid]

Works great if you know you were exposed. Less so if you don't realize it until the rash shows up.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Works great if you know you were exposed. Less so if you don't realize it until the rash shows up.

There is that. But you must admit after a few times of such negative reinforcement one learns the hard way to take a shower after random plant interactions.

 

[vette-kid]

There is that. But you must admit after a few times of such negative reinforcement one learns the hard way to take a shower after random plant interactions.

Fair enough! It has been a long time since I got it, so it was time for a reminder!

 

[TomatoTango]

Poison oak is an important part of an ecological system. It can survive anything and it’s prolific. It’s used for restoration of natural woodlands below 4000 feet as it’s invincible and symbiotic. On our property its preferred areas to grow are with Oregon grapes and white oak trees. I have seen some vines run 30 feet into the air.

 

[vette-kid]

Please, oh please tell me why it's important. Nothing but a curse which I would gladly eradicate.

 

[TomatoTango]

Please, oh please tell me why it's important. Nothing but a curse which I would gladly eradicate.

https://baynature.org/article/poison-oak-has-a-good-side-too/

It’s critical for natural ecosystems. Animals eat it and use it for shelter. It’s also a clearly symbiotic relationship with other plant species like oak trees, bringing in differing mycorrhizae and insects. It deters humans from walking up to the tree and chopping it down while simultaneously providing habitat for birds that repel dangerous insects. Things in nature aren’t “designed” to be for humans, they’re made to give and receive in balance with others.

 

[La Garden]

lol, sorry Tomato Tango, not buying it. Sophie Dresser is so well known this is her only article. Doing web search on poison oak is symbiotic that is the only article that comes up. The only place where this information is referenced in this manner. Other articles refer to it as part of the ecosystem, but no where is it described as being of any use what so ever.

I however can think of a good use for it, being as I am sure most people are not like me and able to pull the stuff and not get the rash,......If you planted it on your fences it would deter most if not all want to be intruders.

 

[TomatoTango]

Every wild plant/insect/animal is a part of an ecosystem. The perspective that it’s “worthless” because it can give you a rash is to infer things like “sharks are bad because they can bite me and they should be exterminated,” without much thought into what impact it would have on the ecosystem.

 

[La Garden]

If poison oak is part of your believe system, based on one article by an author that has no other writing credits have at it.
Just expect people to do some research and call you out on it. Have a good day, with your poison oak.

 

[DirtMechanic]

This thread started out normal but has become irritating