Recognise and Control Mares Tail in your garden: from Identification to Eradication

Horsetail, also known as mares tail, is an invasive weed that can wreak havoc in British gardens. 

And while some consider this prehistoric plant attractive, the plant’s rapid growth and deep roots make it challenging to manage and control once established. 

This article explores how to identify and control mares tail in your garden, sharing how to eradicate it for good! 

Ready? Let’s go! 

What is Mares Tail?

Mares tail (Equisetum arvense), often referred to as Horsetail, is a perennial plant native to arctic regions and parts of the northern hemisphere. It’s distinct from the aquatic plant Hippuris vulgaris, also commonly known as mare’s tail. And although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent two different plants.

Horsetail has a rich history — believed to have existed around 350 million years ago, earning it the tag of a “living fossil”. 

The plant thrives on land, forming dense clusters of dark green foliage that compete with other plants for resources and nutrients.

One of the most significant challenges with mares tail is its deep roots, or rhizomes, which delve up to two metres underground, making it highly resistant to herbicides.

The plant propagates through its rhizomes or spores, contributing to its invasiveness.

Why is Horsetail a Problem?

A weed is typically defined as an unwanted plant that is difficult to manage and competes with desired plants for garden resources. And Horsetail fits this description perfectly due to its vigorous growth patterns.

And once mares tail establishes itself in a garden, it can crowd out other plants. 

Moreover, attempts to uproot or cut it back often prove futile, as rhizomes are waiting deep underground, ready to sprout again. 

So, given its ability to burrow deep and spread between gardens, mares tail has earned its reputation as one of the most formidable weeds in the UK.

Some of the problems associated with a horsetail infestation include:

• Structural damage to pavements, footpaths, and walls
• The deep root system goes down as deep as 2 metres, making removal extremely challenging
• Nutrient deficiency in your soil

How do you identify Mares Tail?

Before formulating a control strategy, it’s crucial to confirm if the plant in question is indeed mares tail. 

The weed grows between 0.1-1m in height, with fir tree-like side shoots, which branch out from segment joints in distinctive brown-coloured “spore cones”. 

While looking quite exotic, it’s the spreading behaviour that you really have to watch out for! 

Strategies to Control Mares Tail

If your garden has fallen victim to a mares tail infestation, there are several techniques you can adopt to manage its spread. 

I believe that chemical use should be a last resort. The best ways to keep your garden clear of pests and diseases are to develop good gardening practices, such as:

• Strict cultivation methods
• Specific cultivar selection
• Effective garden hygiene
• Encouraging or introducing natural enemies, such as nematodes, wherever appropriate

As a last resort, some UK councils, such as Preston, offer reporting programs to monitor the presence and spread of mares tail in the local area. If such a program exists in your area, it’s beneficial to report the infestation.

Cultural Control of mares tail

Removing mares tail by hand is a strenuous task, given the depth of its roots. While you can remove the surface rhizomes, deeper roots require considerable digging.

And as is the case with many weed varieties, shallow weeding can exacerbate the problem as any small pieces left behind will regrow — potentially spreading the plant even further.  

However, removing shoots as soon as they appear above the ground can lessen infestation over several years.

For mares tail appearing in lawns, regular mowing can keep it in check.

Chemical Control of Horsetail

Weakening mares tail with weedkiller is another effective method. However, I’m not a fan of chemical overuse in the garden, so use this as a last resort. 

When using chemical control, consider the following:

• For vacant soil with no herbaceous perennials, bulbs or crops, use products containing glyphosate/diflufenican
• Apply tough weedkillers containing glyphosate in late summer when growth is at its peak. However, bruise the shoots with a rake before application for adequate penetration.

Remember, mares tail is persistent. Several applications — possibly over several years — may be necessary to eradicate the problem completely.

Can Vinegar Kill Mares Tail?

No, vinegar is not an effective solution for mares tail. Its mild acidity doesn’t cause sufficient damage to kill the plant.

Can You Dig Up An Entire Mares Tail?

While theoretically possible, it would be incredibly laborious due to the plant’s wide-spreading and deep-burrowing rhizomes.

Should You Trim Mares Tail?

Trimming mares tail can help manage its above-ground growth. However, it does not address the root of the problem – the deep underground rhizomes.

Safe and Effective Chemical Use

When using chemicals, following the given guidelines is crucial to ensure safety and effectiveness. 

These include:

• Using a high-quality sprayer with accurate directionality
• Following the guidelines for safe and effective chemical use
• Choosing between spot-on and broad-scale weedkillers according to nearby plants

Before using any weedkiller product, it’s essential to follow the instructions on the label to the letter.

Where does Horsetail come from?

Horsetail appears in beds, lawns, borders, patios, and paths and often seems to appear from nowhere. However, most plants emerge due to deep rhizomes that have spread from neighbouring gardens.

Alternatively, you may have unwittingly brought the plant into your garden in composts or manure, which may contain tiny stem fragments that develop into full plants. 

However, perhaps the most likely way for Horsetail to spread if there aren’t other nearby plants is in the wind, which can distribute the plant’s spores for broader distribution. 

FAQs

Any questions

I hope I’ve provided all the questions you might have about this fascinating weed, but if you have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

Or check out our encyclopedic Help & Advice section for more expert gardening tips. 

Controlling Horsetail can be challenging, given its invasive nature and deep roots. However, by adopting a mix of cultural and chemical control methods, you can effectively manage its spread and even eradicate it over time.

Thanks for reading!