Poison Ivy Removal in Durham, NC

How Much Does Poison Ivy Removal Cost in Durham?

Poison ivy removal in Durham typically costs $270 to $630 for a residential yard, with the debris hauled away.

Two Durham things move the price. On the Neuse side of the ridge, spraying inside a creek buffer needs an herbicide EPA certifies for use near water, and a large clearing has to be replanted^[4]. Tree vines can reach 60 to 150 feet^[7], which adds ladder work. One Raleigh landscaper's blog gives $300 to $500, with no basis stated^[9].

Our cost page explains what else changes a quote.

Which Durham Creek Buffer Rule Covers My Back Yard?

It depends on which side of the tracks you live. The Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association explains that the North Carolina Railroad crosses Durham along the Neuse and Cape Fear divide^[2]. North of it, creeks such as Ellerbe Creek run to the Neuse. South of it, they feed New Hope Creek, which empties into Jordan Lake^[2][10].

Both rules protect 50 feet on all sides of the water^[4][5]. The Jordan rule also requires local governments to run buffer programs that meet or exceed it^[5], so the city's program governs on that side and may be stricter.

Overgrown yards and cut vines

City code enforcement expects yards free of weeds or grass over 10 inches and of overgrown vegetation^[30].

Bagged vines go out only with the optional yard waste service, in the brown bin or up to 10 brown paper bags^[31].

The state license rule for spraying and the state open-burning law are on our North Carolina rules page.

Where Does Poison Ivy Grow Thickest Around Durham?

Along the water. Poison ivy is most common in floodplains and stream-side woods^[11], and 37 square miles of central Durham drain into Ellerbe Creek alone^[2].

iNaturalist users have recorded it most often along Sandy Creek, with more records at Leigh Farm Park, in Duke Forest, on the American Tobacco Trail, along the Eno River, and in Northgate Park and Duke Park^[12].

Newer streets get it too. About 43 percent of Durham homes were built in 2000 or later^[1], and poison ivy favors the forest edges and canopy gaps^[11] that new lots cut into.

What Months Can Poison Ivy Be Sprayed in Durham?

June through August bring 8 to 10 days a month with measurable rain^[14], and spray needs a dry window, so a summer visit can move for weather. One spray will not finish it, so plan on a follow-up^[16].

Is That Vine Poison Ivy or Virginia Creeper in Durham?

Count the leaflets. The Durham County Master Gardeners say Virginia creeper has 5 leaflets per leaf and poison ivy has 3, and the two often grow together^[17]. Young boxelder trees are the other mix-up, since their leaves often have 3 leaflets^[18].

What some neighbors call poison oak is usually poison ivy. NC State lists Poison Oak as another common name for eastern poison ivy^[7]. True Atlantic poison oak is common on the coastal plain but rarer in the Piedmont^[19], and poison sumac is rarely seen in the Piedmont^[20]. On a tree, look for bark densely covered in aerial roots^[7].

Durham Neighborhoods and Nearby Towns We Cover

We work across Durham, from Trinity Park, Watts-Hillandale, Old West Durham, Walltown, Duke Park, Northgate Park and Old North Durham^[21] to Forest Hills, Lakewood and Hope Valley^[21], and south to Woodcroft and Parkwood^[12]. Rural Durham County communities such as Bahama and Rougemont are on our list too^[21].

Nearby, we cover Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough in Orange County^[22]. See our Chapel Hill page for that town.

ZIP codes: 27701, 27703, 27704, 27705, 27707, 27712, 27713, 27517

Near Durham

We also cover Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill in the The Triangle area. See all areas, the price table and NC rules.