Stay Safe: Recognizing Poison Ivy Beyond The Changing Leaves

We've just reached peak fall, the leaves on trees have turned red, orange, or yellow. With plants starting to wind down for winter, I wanted to know whether or not poison ivy was still a concern once the plant had lost its green color. The answer is yes, poison ivy is still a concern even if the leaves have gone on to another color.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources posted about the exact same topic a few days ago.

The Minnesota DNR wrote:

"Leaves of three, let it be" still applies in the fall.

When you think of poison ivy, you probably picture green, glossy leaves during the summertime But come fall, poison ivy is one of the first plants that turn color, from vibrant green to brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Don't be fooled by its beauty—poison ivy is toxic in all seasons! Even when the leaves die and fall from the plant, they still contain urushiol oils that cause itchy, blistering skin.

Don't be rash! The same general safety tips apply in the fall when avoiding poison ivy: stay on the trails, wear protective clothing like long sleeves or pants, and avoid picking up fallen leaves unless you are certain it is not poison ivy. When you get home, be sure to wash your clothes and scrub your boots with hot, soapy water.

Watch out for poison ivy during your fall adventures!

So if you are starting to work on scouting for your deer stand, or plan on heading out hiking in the woods to get a better look at the fall color, be alert to the threat of poison ivy, even if the plant doesn't have its distinctive 3 green leaves.

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Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff