North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["tanis cuff" <tanistanis@hotmail.com>]

WI p.ivy doesn't mind cold winters, not much bothered by dry soil either.  I 
don't recall seeing it on the driest sand, nor in marshes, otherwise "it's 
everywhere".  Could elevation really be the limiting factor?  Seeds are 
moved by birds; are they very strict about elevation?


On May 1, 2005, at 3:43 PM, Pat Meadows wrote:

> We don't seem to have any poison ivy in this area
> (Appalachian Mountains in northern Pennsylvania).  It
> surprised me, but I have not seen any in four years of
> living here and I recognize it when I see it.
>
> I can only assume the winters are too cold for it (the
> lowest temperature we've experienced here is -26 F).
> Anyway, it doesn't seem to be here.
>
> Pat
> --

I think you're right about the temperature.  There's a fairly sharp line in 
NH and upstate NY between where the poison ivy grows, and where it doesn't.  
I'm pretty sure it corresponds to winter low temps.  At any rate, I know 
several places where it grows next to the water, or in the valley, but 
doesn't grow once you get a little elevation.

Ginda