poison oak

[rubicon]

I have a big old oak tree in my yard at my new digs that is covered in poison oak so bad you cant even see the trunk. Anybody have an idea how I can kill the vine without harming the tree?

[drummer]

Roundup or any of the glyphosphates should work fine.They usually won't cause any damage to a tree unless absorbed by the leaves or inside parts (cambium,xylem,etc.)
If you are still worried about harming the tree,you can apply the concentrated herbicide "syrup" with a brush or mop to the poison oak instead of diluting and spraying.
A big oak shold be OK as long as you don't get excessive amounts of herbicide on the leaves or around the base where it could be absorbed by the roots.
Crossbow or other 2,4-D herbicides will also do the job.

[droy]

I had some on my trees similiar to yours, I tried spraying a combination of Roundup & 2-4d (4- oz. of each per gal. of water)they had spread too high into the branches, to do any good just spraying a pestiside, & even if I did reach that high, I'd also harm the oak branches & leaves. After a few trys, & no success, I VERY carefully cut the vines about 3 feet above the ground with some pruning shears. After cutting them through, I then painted the "root side" with straight 2-4d, (especially the fresh cut !) all the way to the ground. That did the trick for me, the vine going up into the tree, just naturally died after being separated from it's roots. Whatever you do, DO NOT BURN poison oak, ivy, sumac, etc.!!!!!!!!! I personally know of two people, who like myself, are very reactive to those plants, they accidentally breathed the smoke of burning poison oak, & it got into their lungs--VERY BAD DEAL; one fellow stayed in the hospital for right at three mos., & to quote the doctor, "he like to bought the farm". I'd even read of a sickly neighbor getting a dose when the wind was right. Good Luck with your project.

[denton]

Tell Howard Dean that it is a deadly Republican weed, attempting to strangle a Democratic tree. Tell him you'll furnish a camera crew, as he dramatically roots out the evil vine, and singlehandedly saves the day.