Anyone that ever gets exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac will probably never forget the experience. These plants are all of the Toxicodendron genera, and the effect they have on human skin is very serious, for some even requiring hospitalization.
The problem is that the plants are easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for, and a brush-up even with a dead and withered plant can cause a serious reaction. They contain an oil that will stick to you, and easily spread from one spot to another, to clothing and to other people.
If you believe there might be some of these plants in your backyard, you should always exercise care when working in the brush, having no exposed skin and cleaning your clothes after working outside. You also shouldn’t burn these plants since the fumes can cause even more serious problems if they are breathed in.