There is hardly anything new about poison ivy that would surprise the average trail hiker.  You would know all about the three leaf pattern on each stem, the leaves’ color changing from reddish when emerging in spring, then turning green in the summer and autumnal in the fall. You would also be familiar with the different forms the plant can take from a trailing shrub on the ground or one that is free standing.  But Rhus radicans has a more unlikely form that can be best seen along the newly opened West Neck Hills trail in North Sea. At the slightest encouragement any one of the STPS members who were primarily responsible for the trail’s cutting and blazing (Ken Bieger, Tony Garro and Laura Smith) would be glad to point out the woody, ropelike vines that climb the trunks of some of the magnificent trees on the property.  The older vines with hairy aerial roots are as much as 5 inches in diameter and can exceed heights greater than 10 feet.  Often because of their size and appearance, even the savvy trail hiker is tempted to touch them and test the vines strength. This is not a good idea because as is true of all parts of the plant, these vines are poisonous throughout the year. So although you are probably familiar with the suggestion that “if it is three let it be”, we suggest too that “if it is a vine take your time”.