How do I get rid of poison ivy that is climbing a tree?

Jackie Draper
by Jackie Draper

In the backyard of my new house is a large willow tree with poison ivy growing rampant on it. It is also close to a small stream so I don't want to use toxic chemicals. I have seen recommendations to use a salt solution. Has anyone had luck with this?

Willow tree with poison ivy

  10 answers
  • Cheryl Gillman Cheryl Gillman on Sep 15, 2018

    Not sure if it would harm the tree or not but if you cut it back, and pour really hot water on just the roots (or as close to them as possible without putting too much if any on the tree roots) it will kill the poison ivy. It's basically a matter of getting rid of the roots.

    Whatever you do just make sure you have pants, long sleeve shirt, sneakers or shoes that are covered not sandals or flip flops, when touching the poison ivy, then remove gloves right after and whatever clothing you can outside, try not to touch the clothing too much and throw them right into the washer then go right to shower.

  • Pat Pat on Sep 15, 2018

    My son would get a rash by riding his bike by a bunch of poison ivy....just from the breeze\wind blowing on him. Had to get a series of shots. Poor guy!

  • Oh boy, that's a lot of poison ivy. It will kill the tree if you let it go. I help my girlfriend every spring with this chore. They do have stuff you can paint on the leaves and it kills the ivy, but we have never used it as she refuses to use chemicals unless there is no other choice for the same reason, she lives by a stream and doesn't want to harm the wildlife. If it were me, I would suit up and start cutting the vines off. If necessary, do in stages. Once you have the vines off, start digging at the roots and get as much as you can. Then drown the area in cheap $2 a gallon white vinegar repeatedly and after every rain event. Bag and tag the ivy as a courtesy to the trash service guys. Immediately quarantine yourself and hop in the shower. Then immediately wash your clothes with vinegar and baking soda added to the wash. Clean washing machine after with vinegar. Yes a process, but it will work. Or if funds permit, call in a clean up service to do for you. They will charge a bit extra as it is a highly toxic plant.

  • Jackie Draper Jackie Draper on Sep 15, 2018

    i have had bad poison ivy and I don't want to get it again!

  • Peggy L Burnette Peggy L Burnette on Sep 15, 2018
    You can try brush kill, and cut the vines at the root. Be careful kills all green stuff and won't come back for a long time. Be careful and don't rub against that stuff it is really nasty. Good luck
  • Jeanette Jeanette on Sep 15, 2018

    Tou have to cut tye ivy completeit around the tree circumference. Then skip down about 3 inches and repeat. will kill the part feeding on your tree. Leave them in the tree, though. You can deal with the low vines from the ground to yout second cut much more easily now. Good luck!!

  • Jackie Draper Jackie Draper on Sep 17, 2018

    Thank you all for your ideas. I will probably try a little of each. Wish me luck!

  • Pamela Pamela on Sep 18, 2018

    See if you can rent goats in your area. They love poison ivy !!! I know out park nearby rented them to fix the park or poison ivy.

  • https://www.queenbeeofhoneydos.com/getting-rid-of-poison-ivy-oak-sumac/


    I'll just leave this link to my post. It is quite long, but maybe it will help.🙂


  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Jul 13, 2023

    Dissolve one cup salt in a gallon of water and add a tablespoon of dish soap to create a solution that can be sprayed on poison ivy