Horsetail, also known as mare’s tail, can spread quickly in a garden which can crowd out flowers and plants in beds and borders.
The perennial weed has fast-growing rhizomes which can quickly spread dense foliage.
The plant can easily be recognised as it has tree-like shoots that make it look like a fir.
In the summer months, it has green shoots which can grow to be two feet tall.
One of the main problems with horsetail is how deep it can spread underground. The plant can go down as deep as two metres below the surface which can make it hard to remove.
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This is often why the plant spreads from neighbouring properties or land to other people’s gardens.
With this in mind, Chris Ross, director of Direct Building Products, the UK’s leading render experts, has shared how to get rid of the plant this summer.
Horsetail is native to the UK and grows most vigorously in the spring and summer months.
Chris said many people have found the plant to cause more damage than Japanese knotweed.
He said: “Many have found it to be the cause of more damage to infrastructure than Japanese Knotweed as it is well known for breaking through paved areas and destroying landscaped areas.”
Removing horsetail is not an easy process and can cost homeowners up to £380.00 + VAT, according to some online estimates.
If there’s structural damage to a property, the total price of removal could be around £9,900 +, if it’s not properly maintained.
How to get rid of horsetail
Removing horsetail by hand is “difficult” but it is possible to eradicate it.
Although horsetail growing near the surface can be forked out, deeper roots will require a lot more work.
Chris explained: “Occasional light weeding is not effective and can make the problem worse. We suggest infestations of horsetail to be weakened with standard weedkiller.
“Improper weeding can cause the plant to regrow from any small pieces left behind.
“However, removing shoots as soon as they appear can reduce infestation. If horsetail appears in lawns, it can also be kept in check by mowing regularly.”
