Help to get rid of a fern

[Sarico]

Hi in my plot I have two massive fern or bracken. One of them is close to the pond wich I'm not bother considering that I'm living that area for wild life. What is bother me is the second one wich is right a foot under the apple tree. I got rid of everything under the tree so is nice and clean but not the fern. I have already used 2 forks and a spade but the fern won against. It's quite a big one the base is almost 2 foot wide and the all plant almost 6ft. I got the brush cutter and cut all the leaves but I can't get it out the ground. I think that the roots are connected with the apple tree root so I can't lift it.i was thinking if I get the rotovator and grind it over and over but I'm worry that will make worse. Using chemical is not what I want considering being so close to the apple tree
Thanks

[Aberdeenplotter]

Just chop as much as you can with your spade (don't use the spade like an axe, you'll break the shaft) and keep going back and cut out any new growth when you see it. You will win eventually

[Martin H]

Agree with AP. I've found that ferns don't regrow from roots as long as you have chopped off the growing points, so you don't need to go all that deep. Just chop down with the spade propelled by your toughest boot and chip away at the crown.

[Sarico]

Thanks guy. So now till spring every time I go at the plot I chop a bit off.

[Kirk]

You could get something like roundup/glyphosphate and a paint brush then paint the mixture on to the unwanted fern as the growth appears.

That way there is no overspray onto the apple or anything else.

For removing bits of the root ball try one of the garden lawn edger's (those semicircular thngs) they are good to chop out bits.

[Sarico]

I'm

You could get something like roundup/glyphosphate and a paint brush then paint the mixture on to the unwanted fern as the growth appears.

That way there is no overspray onto the apple or anything else.

For removing bits of the root ball try one of the garden lawn edger's (those semicircular thngs) they are good to chop out bits.

Good the idea of lawn edger. I will leave the glyphosate as a last result.

[bearded bloke]

Drill some holes into the rootball & fill them with a paste made from salt & a drop of vegetable oil

[ESBkevin]

Try an Adze, it's like a digging axe with the blade turned sidewards. Great tool and handy for digging trenches and ridging up potatoes too. Watch car boots and local adverts for a cheapie. I bought one from that website named after a big river, about £16 delivered and proved to be one of the best tools I ever bought.

The old fashioned way to remove fern or bracken was pigs, but I think that might be overkill for the one root. You might also consider burning out the heart if the apple tree is pruned way back. You don't need massive flames, just an intense heat into the root ball.

[Sarico]

Every time I go at the plot I get my brush cutter to slice some of piece off. I found 3other one hiding in other spot but small and easy to pull out