oooo,looks like a type of clematis! hopefully the native one.

You mean the Clematis Virginiana, right?
That would be a nice surprise, it does bear resemblance...
But, a volunteer this far north?

The long, softwood shoots come out of near-surface woody runners
and twine around any available supports, the short, bushy shoots
come off climbing woody stems.

You've got me even more curious now, I'm going to print the picture
in the link and do a close-up comparison.
Thanks Fairy toadmother.

Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis Virginiana

yes, that is what i was mostly thinking of, but i wasn't sure what was native to your area. there is another native clem also. sorry, i should hve researched first!

brooklyn botanical garden lists Clematis occidentalis as a rare native. here is another site with a picture. http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/galleries/clematisocci.html

here it says c. virginiana is frequent: http://nymf.bbg.org/species/458

another: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~plants-c/bio414/species%20pages/Clematis%20ligustifolia.htm

this lists a european that has escaped cultivation in new york, though unverified: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500418

its a toughy. can you repost your pic in the natives forum?

Thank you for all your links Toadmother!
So far, the foliage looks most like the 'Virginiana'.
I guess the flowers will facilitate identification, I'll
look for them.

Meanwhile, I'll post the picture on the "natives" forum too.
Pretty plant!

your welcome. i also think it is pretty- just planted one to train up a tree :)