Mystery red leaves
@GardenGerty (169489)
United States
September 20, 2020 5:20pm CST
In the way back yard, in front of the shed, we have yellow and red leaves today. I recognized the yellow ones immediately as they are cottonwood. The red ones had me puzzled.
There are no trees back here with red leaves. And no wind to speak of to bring them from elsewhere. I looked and looked.
Finally I figured it out.
Poison Ivy, draped way up high over the shed has finally turned red. It is beginning to drop the leaves off, and they are falling in front of the shed.
Leaves of three, let them be.
I will not even touch these fallen leaves. I have heard you can still break out from them and dead stems of poison ivy.
They are a beautiful color, though.
11 people like this
11 responses
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I am not sure about this particular vine. Too high, and the stem and roots may or may not be inaccessible. Two years ago we took an axe to the stem (as big as my wrist stem) going up a tree we could get to. We opened it up, and dug around some roots and put bleach on them. It has not been active at the top since. Occasional runners from the roots that I spray with bleach. I will have to trace where this one comes from.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
@rebelann If I see any roots I might, but there are beneficial things as well. So I put bleach in a spray bottle.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117251)
• El Paso, Texas
21 Sep 20
Have you tried putting salt on those roots @GardenGerty ? Around here a lot of idjits use salt to kill Mesquite bush.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
21 Sep 20
glad ya thought 'bout such 'fore ya went to dispose 'f 'em. the schtuff ne'er bothered my dad nor the hubs. 've ya noticed that lots 'f beautiful thingies 're quite oft with hiccups?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I do not gather up the leaves, I let them give nourishment back to the soil. Maybe the beautiful red color is there for a warning.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
@crazyhorseladycx what is "gomer"?
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
21 Sep 20
@GardenGerty that's what i do with leaves here, jest let 'em lie if'n not too thick. the rest get put'n beds fer winter mulch 'r 'ncorporated 'nto gomer. perhaps? then 'gain, there's many plant/tree varieties that sport such'n 're harmless.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51834)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Sep 20
Put on your hazmat suit before raking them up.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
You kidding? I'm gonna crunch em with the mower.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I did not add an image. I probably should.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I walked right in and warned my husband. He is the one who got it really bad a few years ago. I have never had it. He is also the type who would pick up one of the pretty red leaves to look at it.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
21 Sep 20
@GardenGerty It can be very dangerous if you are allergic.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I will not touch, and I warned my husband not to as well.
@kaylachan (84823)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
20 Sep 20
That's probably a good idea. Well, maybe wear gloves when you (if you) clean the leaves from the yard. That should protect your skin.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I will mow and mulch them. They will rot. I wear gloves when I mow.
@wolfgirl569 (135847)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Sep 20
You can still catch it. But they are pretty
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
We are not touching them. Just enjoying the variety it gives to the yard and driveway. I figured I could still catch it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I have never had it, but hubby got it really bad about four years ago. I have heard that some people are extra sensitive, my brother is. I imagine the rash is a lot like what I am told shingles feels like, burning.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169489)
• United States
21 Sep 20
I have managed to never catch it, and I want to keep it that way. I may have killed a lot of it off by being very diligent mowing it down or spraying it with bleach.
