I had 6 trees taken down in the winter by my tree guy who is severely allergic to PI. The trees had vines growing up them but he was convinced it was Creeper and not PI. I ripped a lot of those vines down myself with no reaction. I must say it's annoying having both Creeper and PI (apparently) so close to eachother. I kept a lot of the pine that still has small vines on it. At this point I have no idea whether it's creeper or PI on those splits but if my tree guy didn't react to it I'd assume it's safe. Not planning to burn them inside though. I've also gotten a lot of conflicting info on Creeper vs PI...One site said creeper has 4 leaves but can have 3, if the vines look "woody' then it's creeper, some saying it has 5 leaves... I will take everyone's advice on my pics that it is in fact PI. I guess no matter what the invasive vines are, they suck!
After a couple years of drying, you can just pull the old dead vines of with a pair of old gloves no problem. Just don't rub your face with said gloves. Dead vines never stopped me, I have some in my stacks now.
Yes! VC doesn't have urishol oil like PI, its a relatively harmless plant, but it does have raphides, a needle like crystallized oxalate....just dont eat it!...it would be like eating fiberglass...
Thank you guys, I've never seen PI vines that large in my life. I would have had no clue until it was too late. More valuable information gleaned by being a member on this fine site.
And here we are cutting them down. That's what so good about this club, I been in the woods my whole life and heating with wood since "78". Do I know everything, absolutely not. I only knew what I knew, I didn't know what I didn't know. I also have learned so much being here. Anyone who tells you they know it all is full of a very smelly substance. We continue to learn as long as we draw a breath. That's why we look up to our elders.
I’ve got to say I think the roots are worse than the above ground portions of the plants. I usually am good for getting it twice a year and usually from digging, winter time included! It’s sure nasty around here most places! Not only monster vines but full on shin deep lush ground cover. We’ve got stuff at the shop called tecnu that’s a wash for when you think you got into it. I think you can get it at the drug store and if you read the bottle it’s just mineral spirits. Like Shawn Curry suggested the dish soap would work, just need something that cleans oil off.
And you got to picture the urishol oil as axle grease on you. You gotta wash with dish liquid like you were trying to remove that stuck on axle grease. Don't just wave water at PI for ten seconds. I learned that here in a thread 3 years back.
I've been following this advice for a couple years with good results: I have found the orange scented mechanics wipes (grime boss, gojo, fast orange, etc.) work excellent in the field and a simple wash cloth and dish soap work great at home in the shower. I got a little touch of PI this spring. Sure enough I didnt scrub my arms down after working around the stuff.
I'll get poison ivy looking at the picture! Man, I'm "HIGHLY" allergic to the crap and I seem to get it every year
I've also noticed that other things seem to give me allergic reaction now also. Bee stings swell up like a big red hot bump and lasts for 4 days. I get watery eyes and sneezing sometimes, but dont know what is causing it. Usually only lasts a few minutes or happens a few times in a day. That never happened before either. Maybe it just comes with age...
I’ve heard that every time you get the ivy you get a little worse. Don’t know how true that is. Tractor tires are terrible for getting it unsuspectingly too! Especially after bush hogging or woods work. One little brush up against that oil infused rubber and it’s the fast track to itch town!
I hadn't thought of that. Work boots can carry it for years also. Especially if its a pair of boots you just use for going in the woods.
Yep next to digging and getting into the roots, tractor tires are my second worst enemy to give the itch. Just climbing around on them hooking and unhooking or when you are getting on and off, at least in my case with the old no fender types.
