1. Introduction
2. Understanding Field Horsetail
3. The Invasive Nature of Field Horsetail
4. Problems Faced by UK Landowners
5. Effective Strategies for Field Horsetail Control
6. Conclusion
7. Resources

Introduction

Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), also known as mare’s tail, is a persistent and invasive weed that poses significant challenges for landowners across the UK. With its rapid spread and resilient nature, this perennial plant can wreak havoc on agricultural land, gardens, and even construction sites. In this blog post, we will delve into the problems that field horsetail causes for UK landowners and explore effective strategies for its control.

Understanding Field Horsetail

Field horsetail is a primitive plant species that has been around for millions of years. It reproduces through spores and underground rhizomes, making it incredibly tenacious and difficult to eradicate. Its hollow, bamboo-like stems, topped with brush-like foliage, can reach heights of up to 80cm.

The Invasive Nature of Field Horsetail

Field horsetail’s ability to spread rapidly is one of the primary reasons it becomes problematic for landowners. It thrives in a wide range of soil conditions and climates, making it adaptable to various environments. Its spores can travel long distances, aiding its colonisation of new areas.

Problems Faced by UK Landowners

Field horsetail can cause numerous problems for UK landowners, including:

Agricultural Impact: 

Field horsetail can quickly colonise agricultural land, reducing crop yields and competing with desired plants for nutrients and sunlight.

Garden Invasion: 

It can invade gardens, where its dense growth can suppress ornamental plants and hinder the aesthetic appeal of the landscape.

Construction Site Disruption: 

Field horsetail can infiltrate construction sites, compromising the stability of buildings, roads, and other structures.

Legal Liabilities: 

If field horsetail spreads from your property to neighbouring land, you may be held legally responsible for the damage caused.

Learn more about Field Horsetail Identification

Effective Strategies for Field Horsetail Control

While complete eradication of field horsetail is challenging, employing various control strategies can help manage its invasive nature:

Cultural Control: 

Regular mowing, hand-pulling, and digging out rhizomes can help weaken field horsetail populations.

Herbicide Application: 

Selective herbicides can be used to target and control field horsetail. However, caution must be exercised to avoid harming desired plants.

Prevention Strategies: 

Implementing preventive measures, such as maintaining healthy soil conditions, promoting native plant growth, and regular monitoring, can help reduce field horsetail invasions.

Conclusion

Field horsetail poses significant challenges for landowners across the UK. Its invasive nature and ability to spread quickly can wreak havoc on agricultural land, gardens, and construction sites, leading to economic losses and legal liabilities. By understanding the problems it causes and implementing effective control strategies, landowners can mitigate the impact of field horsetail and protect their properties.

Resources

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – Controlling Field Horsetail
• Gardeners World – Field Horsetail

The post What Problems does Field Horsetail cause for UK landowners? appeared first on Conservation Land Services.

Field Horsetail Thrives in Damp Soil

Field Horsetail is a commonly found plant in the UK, not to be confused with ‘Mare’s Tail’ (Hippuris vulgaris) , flourishing in meadows, gardens, and abandoned areas. While it thrives in arable and grassy lands, it poses a particular challenge for perennial crops, fruit trees, and nursery stock. The presence of field horsetail can be detrimental to the growth of these plants. This resilient weed prefers damp soil for its growth.

Field Horsetail is Toxic to Livestock

It is important to note that Field Horsetail is toxic to livestock such as sheep, cattle, and horses, both in its green state and when dried and used as hay. Additionally, the related marsh horsetail, which is commonly found in wet, low-lying grasslands, also poses toxicity risks for livestock.

Extracts Proven to be Useful

One intriguing characteristic of horsetail is its ability to accumulate not only gold but also cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in its tissues. The stems of this plant develop a rough and abrasive texture due to the accumulation of silica deposits. Field horsetail extracts have proven to be an effective fungicide, having been utilised for the treatment of blackspot on roses and rust in mint. Moreover, it possesses herbal properties, making it useful for various purposes.

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Gardeners be Aware

A troublesome perennial weed that can quickly take over beds and borders, crowding out other plants. It spreads through rhizomes, which are underground stems, and forms dense stands of foliage. If you’re dealing with Field Horsetail in your garden, here are some options to consider.

Appearance-wise, Field Horsetail is easily recognisable by its upright shoots that resemble fir trees. In the spring, you’ll see light brown stems with cone-like spore-producing structures at the ends, standing at around 20-50cm (10-20in) tall. In the summer, the sterile green shoots grow into fir tree-like plants that can reach up to 60cm (2ft) in height.

The problem with horsetail lies in its creeping rhizomes, which can extend as deep as 2m (7ft) below the surface. This makes it difficult to remove by digging, especially if it has invaded a border. It often spreads from neighbouring gardens or land.

Conclusion

Control of horsetail is challenging. While shallow rhizomes near the surface can be forked out, deeper roots require extensive excavation. Simply chopping up the roots during shallow digging can worsen the problem, as the plant can regrow from small leftover pieces. However, removing shoots as soon as they emerge above the ground can help reduce infestation over time. If horsetail appears in lawns, regular mowing can help keep it in check.

Identifying the Field Horsetail at the spore stage is a good time to make a note of where the plant is growing, so you can start a control programme.

The post Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) What to Look for In Spring appeared first on Conservation Land Services.

Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Is a native herbaceous perennial plant, but very invasive and spreads by both spores and rhizomatus stem system (like Japanese Knotweed). If untreated can and does give rise to damage to Tarmac areas resulting in significant costs. Deep rhizome system and tubers that can be more than 2m down and so excavation is difficult. Difficult to control with systemic herbicides as it is a primitive plant and herbicides are designed for modern plants, but it can be done over a number of years.

• When in hard surface areas of the development site it is best to consider physical controls, such as root barrier membranes to protect the Tarmac areas.
• Can be controlled in open landscape areas with herbicide but can take five years or more.
• Can be confused with Mare’s Tail (Hippuris vulgaris) but this an aquatic perennial herb found in streams and shallow waters.
• Looks quite different in the Spring to later in the Summer.

Hemlock (Connium maculatum)

Poisonous and invasive

Is not on the Schedule 9 of the Countryside and Wildlife Act (1981) but is poisonous and invasive.

Can be controlled with herbicide control programmes and is important to prevent from flowering to break the lifecycle and eventually the dormant seedbank retained in the soil.

Has a zigzag form so could be confused with Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), but has fern like leaves and a distinctive purple speckling on the stem.

Giant Hogweed ( Heracleum mantegazzianum)

Giant Hogweed is a Non Native Invasive Weed listed on the Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) which, like Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) , requires the owner of the land to ensure that this plant does not spread into neighbouring land.

Giant Hogweed is very invasive and presents a health risk to all those using the site as the sap is phototoxic and can result in significant blistering of the skin which can be so severe as to require hospitalisation.

Can be controlled through excavation or herbicide control.

Hemlock Water Dropwort ( Oenanthe crocata)

Extremely poisonous and could be considered the most poisonous plant in the United Kingdom.

• Fatal to both humans and livestock.
• A perennial found in wetland areas and although more common in the South and West has been found elsewhere, such as the Midlands.
• Presents a serious health risk to all those using the site.
• Can be controlled using both excavation and or herbicide control programmes.

Site Check for Invasive Weeds

Contact us to discuss arranging a site visit report to check your site for Japanese Knotweed and other invasive weeds likely to give rise to problems on your development site.

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