JOHNSTON — Johnston Township and the Trumbull County Engineer’s Office are working to get an abundance of poisonous hemlock plants removed from the side of Ridge Road.

Rod Linger of Bradley Brownlee Road has property near where the hemlock is growing by a railroad crossing on Ridge Road.

“Each plant produces about 50,000 seeds and they are so small, they are spread by the air,” Linger said. “It’s very thick with the plant at this location.”

The Cleveland Clinic indicates hemlock poisoning can occur if someone accidentally ingests the poison, with symptoms ranging from vomiting to seizures to respiratory failure.

People can prevent hemlock poisoning by getting rid of any hemlock plants in their yard.

People do not usually get a rash from touching it since hemlock is poisonous only if ingested, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Linger said he has cut down some of the plants, which have a hollow stem, on his property — indicating he is careful with gloves and long-sleeved shirts.

“They have a two-year growing cycle, so they are easy to control if herbicides are used in the first year. They do look like a nice decorative fern.” He noted that the plant resembles the Queen Anne’s lace.

The first year, the plant looks like a low, ground-cover fern 10 to 12 inches tall.

The second year is when it gets much taller, up to 8 to 10 feet tall, and the seeds are spread.

“If people are able to spray it during its first year of growth, there is no problem, but the second year is when all the seeds are spread and there is new growth,” Linger said. He said this is the second year of the plant’s growth.

He warned it can be fatal if ingested.

Township Trustee Dominic Marchese said people should avoid getting it on their skin, which could cause blistering.

Also, farm animals such as cattle and sheep are not to eat it.

Linger said most animals avoid the plant but if there is nothing else to eat, they may graze and become sick.

He said some people may be allergic to touching the plant, but many may get sick by inhaling its vapors.

Marchese has spoken with the Norfolk Southern railroad for it to spray and remove the plants on its property at the location. He said railroad officials said within three weeks it would take action on the plants located on the southeast side and a few on the northeast side of the railroad property.

Marchese said he is concerned with the township’s road crew using a brush hog without knowing the plant could put someone in the hospital. He is looking at having spraying done twice a year when hemlock is found in the community.

“I don’t want anyone going out with a weed wacker and getting sick from the vapors,” he said.

Trumbull County Engineer Randy Smith said the county can remove the plants that are in the road right-of-way. He said plans are to mow it down in that location and remove it.

Smith said his office has been in contact with Lee Beers, agriculture and natural resources extension educator for Trumbull County Ohio State Extension Office in Cortland, for his input and recommendations.

“He helped in identifying it,” Smith said.

Smith said other parts of the county also have been looked at for the hemlock, including by the Trumbull County fairgrounds and parking areas.

Linger said the plant was used by the Greeks to execute criminals or political prisoners and was used for poisoning the philosopher Socrates.