Weeds
Common Lawn Weeds
Weeds in your lawn are inevitable at times, as they arrive in the soil by wind, birds, local wildlife and even from your shoes. Some weed seeds will last for many years in the soil and sprout and grow only when the conditions are right. Unfortunately, Selective Herbicides will not affect weed seed in the soil, since they act via the leaves of the germinated plant, a regular lawn care treatment plan however will keep lawn weeds at bay and ensure that the seed population within the soil declines over time.
Strong, healthy grass should out-compete most weeds, but some stubborn weeds need a little encouragement to be eradicated. Weaker grass, however, can quickly be dominated by unwanted weeds, so intervention is often required.
Understanding common lawn weeds and the options available to fight them can help you successfully ward off any invasion. Here are some of the most common garden weeds you might find appearing in your lawn:
Dandelion
Botanical name: Taraxacum officianale
Family: Asteraceae
The dandelion is very common in UK gardens, especially in spring, and can be found in a wide variety of conditions, including fine turf, roadside verges and patches of bare ground. Dandelions are common perennial weeds identified by their rosette of tooth-like leaves which quickly smother and eventually kill the grass underneath. They produce deep taproots that can be tricky to completely remove - but if the whole root is not removed, a new plant will simply grow again. Each plant produces bright yellow flowers, which turn into spherical seed heads, or ‘clocks’ as they mature, which provide hundreds of air borne seeds to spread into the surrounding soil. Dandelions can adapt to most mowing regimes, happily surviving beneath the height of the cut and they can quickly take over the lawn if not treated.
Is it easy to remove dandelions from a lawn?
Dandelions can be removed through hand weeding, however this can be difficult as the roots are so long. A selective herbicide, applied at the right consistency can quickly remove the weed and weaken the roots to prevent regeneration. As the seeds are airborne, is is likely that you will need to carry out regular treatment to keep the weeds at bay - and help the cause by removing any yellow flowers before they develop into seed heads.
Daisy
Botanical name: Bellis Perennis
Family: Asteraceae
The daisy is a perennial plant, commonly found in all types of grass. They can look very pretty, however the tight rosette of leaves that forms can take quickly take over a lawn as they cluster together, especially in weaker grass. The oval leaves, sometimes with scalloped edges are smooth to touch, sometimes with a fine hairy layer. The white flowers with a yellow centre typically flower between March and October. The daisy has a fibrous root system, and spreads through its underground runners and seeds. Even if the flower heads are picked or sliced through mowing, they quickly grow back.
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Are daisies easy to remove from a lawn?
A thick, healthy lawn will prevent most daisies from taking hold and individual plants can be kept under control if they are physically pulled out as soon as they appear. Alternatively, a single selective herbicide treatment is usually enough to clear the lawn of daisies, providing the lawn is well cared for. A particularly persistent weed may require follow up treatment to completely eradicate the problem.
Yarrow
Botanical name: Achellia millefolium
Family: Asteraceae
Yarrow is a perennial broad-leaf weed that is very common in all types of grass and thrives in most conditions, especially nutrient deficient, dry soils. During hot, dry summers it can be the only plant that retains its green colour, as it is very tolerant of drought conditions. The roots can penetrate up to 20cm deep and the weed spreads by underground runners, easily establishing itself in the turf, making it difficult to control by hand.
The leaves have a very fine, feathery and fern-like characteristics and give a sweet fragrant smell when they are crushed. During June and September, flat dense clusters of small white or pale yellow flowers appear, which can lead to further seeding of the weed.
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How can yarrow be treated in a lawn?
Firstly, prevention is always better than cure and a thick, healthy lawn helps prevent the weeds in the first place. Regular watering keeps the grass strong during the hotter months, to ward off the weeds during the weaker growing period. Regular mowing also helps to prevent the flowers and seed heads from forming and spreading. A selective herbicide can be used to remove the weeds, however because the leaves are waxy and feathered, they absorb less of the product and so generally a course of treatment will be needed to control yarrow.
Speedwell
Botanical name: Veronica
Family: Plantaginaceae
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Speedwell incorporates a group of perennial weeds that will flourish is any soil condition and quickly forms large patches in the lawn, tolerating even the lowest mowing heights. It is a self-pollinating plant that spreads by producing both overground and underground runners. Speedwell leaves are small, round or kidney shaped with slightly scalloped edges. The tiny blue, violet or white flowers appear between April and July, measuring up to 10mm in diameter.
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How can speedwell be prevented and removed from the lawn?
As with all weeds, ensuring a lawn has a dense, healthy sward helps it compete with the weed. Regular scarification and aeration also helps prevent the build up of the weed. Mow regularly to prevent the speedwell from flowering and ensure the grass clippings are not left on the lawn, as the weeds can be spread by loose fragments of the plant. As soon as you spot any speedwell - in surrounding borders or in the grass, remove it straight away by hand to prevent it spreading across the lawn. Speedwell is one of the most herbicide-resistant weeds but will respond if treated with persistence.
Common Sorrel
Botanical name: Rumex acetosz
Family: Polygonaceae
Sorrel is a perennial weed from the dock family and is rarely a problem in well maintained lawns. It doesn’t thrive well in closely mown lawns, but if ignored, it can grow up to a meter tall. It is an upright plant, with slender, arrow-shaped leaves that grow from the stem at the base of the plant. Flowers appear between May and June, starting off green before maturing to a red colour. The roots are deep taproots that need to be completely removed, in order to not reproduce again.
How to prevent sorrel in a lawn?
If only a few plants are present, it is easy to hand weed the plants, providing the roots are removed. Alternatively a selective herbicide applied when the plant is actively growing is very effective. Regular mowing prevents sorrel taking hold in the first place.
Creeping Buttercup
Botanical name: Ranunculus repens
Family: Ranunculaceae
One of the most common lawn weeds in the UK, creeping buttercup is easily recognised by its bright yellow flowers and hairy leaves, which are divided into three lobes with frayed edges. The flowers are about 2cm diameter, each with between 6-9 petals. It spreads across the lawn with its creeping runners, and is difficult to remove permanently by hand due to its fibrous roots. Creeping buttercup loves moisture and will often thrive in a waterlogged lawn.
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How to remove creeping buttercup in a lawn?
Creeping buttercup responds well to selective herbicide application and can typically be controlled within a few treatments. As with other weeds a regular lawn care treatment will keep the grass healthy and thick which can help prevent the creeping buttercup from taking hold.
White Clover
Botanical name: Trifolium repens
Family: Fabaceae
White Clover is a common herbaceous perennial plant in the bean family, which grows low to the ground with creeping runners, which can choke grass. It is typically found in lawns, especially where competition from grass is weak and develops roots wherever a stem node touches the ground. It has a distinctive three-leaf shape with small, spiky white flowers.
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How to get rid of white clover from a lawn
White clover does not like competition from grass, so a well fertilised, healthy lawn is the best way to prevent it spreading in the first place. It tends to grow in areas of low nitrogen, so can be a sign of an under-nourished lawn. Clover can be removed by hand-pulling, making sure to pull out as much of the root system as possible. However, a selective herbicide can be very effective, especially when the white clover is at a new growth stage, as it is softer and more susceptible to absorbing the treatment.
Plantain
Botanical name: Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata
Family: Plantaginaceae
Ribwort plantain, narrow leaf plantain and broadleaf plantain are very common weeds in the UK and can survive in drought conditions thanks to their large, fibrous root system. They are often found in soil that is suffering from compaction, where grass growth is thinner. With its deep taproot, it is able to survive and re-grow, when the top of the plant is cut off and competes for light, water and nutrients in the soil.
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Plantain is a perennial plant, which forms a flat rosette within the lawn, which can tolerate close mowing and often leads to bare patches as it suffocates the grass underneath. Its leaves are long, narrow and oval and it flowers from late spring to late autumn, with short flowers that grow in a spike shape at the top of a long stem.
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How to get rid of plantain in a lawn
Plantain can be pulled out by hand, but the full root needs to be removed or it will grow back, which can be difficult to achieve in a lawn. A selective herbicide will kill the plant, and it is worth then aerating regularly to help prevent it from growing back, as the presence of plantain is a strong indication that the soil is compacted.
Common Mouse Ear
Botanical name: Cerastium vulgatum
Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pinks)
Common Mouse Ear is a persistent, perennial weed that is commonly found in UK lawns. It is a type of chickweed that flowers from April to September and can survive in all kinds of habitats - its seeds can last in the soil for up to 40 years! Common Mouse Ear has dark green, hairy leaves and small white five-petalled flowers. It spreads quickly, reproducing from the seed of the flowers which bloom continually during the summer months. It can smother the grass, forming a dense mat with a shallow fibrous root system. Mouse-ear thrives in moist soils, but can also withstand hot dry conditions too and is resistant to close mowing.
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How to remove Common Mouse Ear from a lawn.
Pull out any Common Mouse Ear as soon as you see it appear, and encourage a healthy sward to help keep the weeds at bay. If the infestation is widespread, a selective herbicide is very effective in removing the plant.
Medic
Botanical name: Medicago lupulina
Family: Fabaceae
Black medic can be both an annual and perennial weed and is considered part of the clover family of plants. It has teardrop-shaped leaves, which grow in groups of three and small yellow flowers that grow from the stem of each group of leaves from April to August.
Its presence often indicates an issue with the soil, so it is worth identifying the cause, rather than just treating the weed. It is often found in compacted, dry soil. It has a shallow, fibrous root system and produces dense clusters of seed pods, which eventually turn black when they reach maturity.
How to remove Medic from a lawn
Black medic is relatively easy to remove by hand, but as it is an indication of poor soil quality, the best way to prevent it returning is to identify the cause of the problem. The soil is likely to be compacted, so an aeration and nourishment treatment will help in creating a strong, healthy lawn where black medic is less likely to thrive.
Birds foot trefoil
Botanical name: Lotus corniculatus
Family: Fabaceae
Birds foot trefoil is a low-creeping herbaceous perennial, which is fast growing and tends to form in large patches, which spread both above and below ground. It can thrive in in a variety of soils, but tends to favour dry, free-draining, non-acidic soils. It is less common in closely mown turf and rather found in neglected areas of turf, where plants can grow up to 0.5 meters in height!
The plant is characterised by its deep yellow flowers, tinged with five leaves - a three-leaf shape, held above two more at the base of the stalk.
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How do I get rid of birds foot trefoil in a lawn?
If there are just a few plants, the weed can be managed by hand weeding, however birds foot trefoil has a deep root system and larger patches benefit from a selective herbicide, which can quickly remove the presence of the weed from the lawn. Encouraging a healthy lawn with regular aeration and scarification will help prevent the build up of trefoil in the lawn.
Common Teasel
Botanical name: Dipsacus fullonum
Family: Dipsacaceae
Common Teasel is a biennial plant, which tends to grow in marginal places, on the edges of rough grassland, thickets and woodlands, where it can be great for attracting wildlife. If you see it appearing in your lawn however, it can grow very quickly and become quite invasive so it’s worth keeping it contained to a corner and prevent it from seeding and spreading. In the first year it produces a flat rosette of leaves which are wide and pointed and covered in bristles, before the plant grows tall flowering stems in the second year. The cone-shaped flower head produces rings of lilac flowers between July and October, which turn to seed heads which then spread prolifically. The seeds tend to drop around the same area, so the coverage of teasel grows and suffocates the grass beneath and expands its footprint.
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How do I get rid of Teasel in my lawn?
Common Teasel has a stout tap root, which can be removed by hand. It can be treated with a selective herbicide, which is best applied at rosette stage. The seeds remain in the soil but regular application of herbicide will weaken the root and allow the grass to flourish. Each of the seed heads contain up to 2000 seeds, so you can help prevent the cycle of the weed returning by removing the stalks as they flower - frequent mowing will help break this cycle.
Selfheal
Botanical name: Prunella Vulgaris
Family: Lamiaceae
Selfheal is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family, which is very common in Britain, especially on unkempt lawns. It survives even the closest mowing and will quickly establish itself and compete with the grass. Seeds spread from its violet-blue flowers which appear from June to November. The plant, also known as healall, woundwort and brownwort has creeping, self-rooting tough reddish square stems, which are slightly hairy when they are in their undeveloped stages. The flowers grow from a whirled cluster which has a pair of stalkless leaves standing out either side like a collar.
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How to remove selfheal from a lawn?
Keep on top of your borders and remove any sight of selfheal appearing there. It needs to be fully removed from the lawn, which can be done by hand, although the space left may need overseeding if it’s a particularly large covering. A selective herbicide treatment should quickly remove the plant, and repair work can begin to cover any subsequent bare patches.
Woodrush
Botanical name: Luzula Campestris
Family: Juncaceae (rush)
Woodrush is commonly found in UK gardens in early spring. It has the appearance of a thicker patch of grass but clusters of brown flower heads appear on stalks from April to May. It spreads in small patches and can go unnoticed for a while as it can blend in with the surrounding grass. It is a perennial weed, which spreads via slow creeping rhizomes and is most common in acidic lawns. It tends to favour lawns where there is a build up of thatch and can take an ongoing plan of management to completely eradicate it.
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How to remove Woodrush from a lawn?
Selective broadleaf herbicide can be applied when the plant is actively growing and a regular application will help weaken the plant, it's hairy leaves however make it somewhat resistant and so persistence is required. As the weed favours acid soil, adjusting the ph of the soil can help discourage the weed. Aeration and scarification helps remove the build up of thatch, which also ensures the environment is less attractive to woodrush.
Common Cats Ear
Botanical name: Hypochaeris radicata
Family: Asteraceae (daisy)
Common Cats Ear is a perennial weed that is often mistaken for a dandelion, as it looks very similar with yellow flowers that produce puffball seed-heads. The leaves are similar too, although not as deeply notched and have a covering of dense hairs, which give the weed the name. In the first year cats-ear will remain as a basal rosette, before flowering the following year and, without treatment can persist for several years. The plant is resistant to regular mowing, in fact regular mowing can stimulate flower production. However, Common Cats-Ear can be pulled out by hand and, even though it has a deep tap root like dandelions, it cannot regrow from root fragments.
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How to remove Cats Ear from my lawn
A few plants can be pulled out by hand, but for a larger infestation, selective herbicides applied in the growing season are very effective in removing cats-ear from your lawn.
Thistles (all types)
Botanical Name: Cirsium
Family: Asteraceae
The most common type of thistles found in UK lawns are Creeping Thistle and Dwarf Thistle which can cause unwelcome spiked surprises underfoot. Both are perennial plants that grow back year after year forming deep roots as they establish themselves.
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Creeping Thistle grows upright, spineless stems from a creeping rootstock with wavy toothed leaves, similar to dandelions, but with sharp spikes and sometimes hairs underneath. The flowers appear in clusters in June and September and give off a distinct honey smell. Dwarf Thistles are similar but instead of growing on stems, form a rosette of leaves with reddish purple flowers in the middle.
Mowing on its own can often discourage most thistles, although it’s best to try and remove them as soon as they appear. Creeping Thistle grows best in newly sown lawns and Dwarf Thistle prefers chalky soils.
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How to get rid of thistles from a UK lawn
If you see thistles appear, it is best to remove them as soon as possible to prevent the deep roots taking hold. They can be pulled up by hand and regular mowing can make the environment less inviting for them. Selective herbicide can also quickly remove them and a regular treatment plan will ensure they don’t return.
Mind-your-own-business
Botanical name: Soleirolia soleirolii
Family: Urticaceae
Mind-your-own-business is a creeping perennial weed with tiny rounded leaves, also known as baby's tears. It forms a dense mat of bright green foliage and has tiny white flowers in the summer. It re-grows from the smallest stem sections and can quickly take over a lawn. It can be seen all year round and is best treated from late spring to early summer when the growing season is prime. Grass clippings that contain stem sections can cause the weed to further spread around the garden.
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How to control mind-your-own-business in a lawn
Remove mind-your-own-business from borders and crevices near the grass to stop it spreading. It can be hand-removed from the grass with a fork, taking care not to leave any debris of the plant, subsequently the grass is likely to need overseeding in the bare patches. Light scarification during the spring and autumn can help weaken the plant and regular feeding of the lawn can help strengthen the grass around it. Selective herbicide can also be applied where there is a persistent problem to successfully treat mind-your-own-business.
Lesser Celandine
Botanical name: Ficaria verna
Family: Ranunculaceae
![Celandine[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ac2536_ace52df4eefb48419ec631813473a3e3~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_0,y_1997,w_6000,h_4006/fill/w_310,h_207,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/Celandine%5B1%5D.jpg)
Lesser Celandine is a small, low-growing perennial herb in the buttercup family. The leaves are shiny, dark-green and heart-shaped with long stalks and the yellow flowers are star-shaped with eight to twelve petals. It can be commonly found in lawns as it thrives in nutrient-rich soil and is resistant to shaded areas. The yellow flowers appear in March from a little bulb with root tubers, which make them difficult to control with selective herbicide.
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Do I need to worry about lesser celendine on my lawn?
Due to their bulbous nature, the plant only appears and flowers briefly before dying back, so mowing regularly from early spring should prevent them being troublesome until the following year. In addition, look out for them appearing in neighbouring borders and flowerbeds and remove them before they become an issue. Whilst unable to remove the bulbs a selective herbicide will clear the foliage and weaken the plant.
Cuckoo Pint
Botanical name: Arum maculatum
Family: Araceae
Cuckoo Pint or Lords and Ladies is a perennial self-seeding plant which can quickly take over a garden. It has deep rooting tubers, which multiply each year and regenerate if any fragments are left in the soil. The leaves are large arrow-shaped and usually black-spotted. In spring, tiny white flowers appear enveloped by a bract, followed by clusters of orange-red berries in autumn. All parts of the plant are poisonous and can cause skin irritation - so take care when handling them.
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How to get rid of Cuckoo Pint in my garden.
Cuckoo Pint or Lords and Ladies will regenerate if any of the plant is left in the soil, so small infestations can be removed by digging - but every bit needs to be removed. Alternatively, the plant can be controlled with herbicides, but it can take time to fully remove it. Chemicals will kill the leaves but the following year the bulbs will resprout. However, with regular treatment, the underground structure will weaken and the weed will be eradicated over time.
Ground Ivy
Botanical name: Glechoma hederacea
Family: Lamiaceae (mint)
Ground Ivy or Creeping Charlie is a perennial low-growing weed, which can form a dense mat in turf. It spreads aggressively via underground runners which root at the nodes, making it difficult to remove. The leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped edges and the leaf stems are square. In the spring, clusters of violet funnel-shaped flowers appear and it will grow in most conditions.
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How to remove Ground Ivy from a lawn
Ground Ivy is quite resistant to herbicides, so spot weedkiller or hand weeding is advised, taking care not to damage the surrounding grass. A carefully applied course of treatment can help to remove Ground Ivy and any bare patches can be reseeded and nourished to produce healthy grass that will outcompete the weed.
Mare's Tail
Botanical name: Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae
Horsetail or Mare’s Tail is an invasive perennial weed that establishes itself from rhizomes from local plants or stem fragments in composts or manures. It quickly spreads to form a deep-rooted, dense carpet of foliage, suffocating any plants in its way. It is identified by its upright fir tree-like shoots that appear in the summer. In spring, fertile light brown stems appear with a cone-like spore head at the top.
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How to get rid of Mare’s Tail in a lawn
It’s good practice to tackle Mare’s Tail as soon as you see it in your lawn before it has the chance to become established. Remove any shoots that appear above ground as soon as they appear - regular mowing can help keep the Mare’s Tail at bay in the lawn. Spot weedkiller can be applied carefully to remove large infestations and the lawn may need a little renovation once the weed has gone.
Sow Thistle
Botanical name: Sonchus oleraceus
Family: Sonchus
Sow Thistles are annual and perennial weeds that quickly spread and can become a problem in a lawn. The yellow flowers, similar to dandelions produce lots of wind blown seeds which can easily spread all over the garden. The soft, irregularly lobed leaves sometimes have a prickly spiny edge, and form a basal rosette which takes over any grass underneath.
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How to get rid of sow thistle in a lawn
Whilst the sow thistles can be prolific offenders, that can be quickly dealt with using a selective herbicide, which kills the leaves and weakens the roots, allowing the grass to grow strongly in its place. Regular treatment is recommended to keep the weeds at bay, as they are likely to return from neighbouring gardens, due to the airborne nature of the seed.
Dead Nettle
Botanical name: Lamium amplexicaule
Family: Lamiaceae (mint)
Dead Nettle, or Henbit Deadnettle is a common annual weed belonging to the mint family that spreads quickly in both cultivated and uncultivated soil. Numerous seeds are produced that can lay dormant in the ground for several years and they tend to go to seed before the mowing season has begun, making it quite a persistent pest. It is a low-growing weed that produces a dense mat of foliage with flowering stems with pink-purple flowers that appear from April to September.
How to get rid of dead nettle in the lawn
If you see one or two dead nettles popping up on the lawn, it is worth pulling them out by hand before they establish themselves. A thick healthy lawn will also resist dead nettle, as grass will generally outcompete these weeds. However, in shaded areas or thinner grass, the dead nettle can become a problem, and then course of selective herbicide can be applied to effectively remove the weed.
Field Bindweed
Botanical name: Convolvulus arvensis L
Family: Convolvulaceae
Field bindweed is a common creeping perennial weed found across UK gardens, on borders and in short turf. As a vine, it crawls up other plants and structures, or simply along the ground and can easily consume lawns and fences without too much trouble. Its leaves are grey-green and arrow shaped, with pink, white funnel-shaped flowers appearing in June to September. Field bindweed produces numerous seeds and is able to reproduce from underground rhizomes and aboveground shoots and from fragments of the plant left in the soil. As a low-growing plant, it can be resistant to mowing as it survives under a regular mowing-height.
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How to remove field bindweed from my lawn
Selective herbicides can tackle field bindweed very effectively and are the easiest way to weaken the weed. Scarification to break up any thatch is also recommended and ongoing herbicide application should keep the weed at bay.
Tree Saplings
Tree saplings can take root and grow in inconvenient locations on your lawn where they don’t belong, and therefore become ‘weed trees’. They can appear in your garden from seeds dropped by birds or the wind and can become a nuisance if not dealt with. Oak trees and Sycamore trees are particular offenders as they easily take root from dropped acorns and helicopter seeds.
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How to remove tree saplings from a lawn
Look out for tiny seedlings and pull these out straight away. It is far easier to keep on top of the weed trees when they are small. Regular mowing will prevent them from growing tall, but it can make the tree grow back stronger if it is left alone to grow. Some saplings are shoots from existing tree roots coming up through the grass, so any application of weedkiller should be used with caution to avoid damaging the original tree.