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| ## tall fescue {#tall-fescue .Title-Header}                           |
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| *Lolium arundinaceum* (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire                       |
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| Plant Symbol = LOAR10                                                 |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

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##### Alternate Names

*Schedonorus phoenix* (Scop.) Holub*, Festuca* *arundinacea* Schreb.,
*Festuca elatior* L. ssp. *arundinacea* (Schreb.) Hack., *Festuca
elatior* L. var. *arundinacea* (Schreb.) C.F.H. Wimmer, Kentucky fescue,
reed fescue

##### Uses

Tall fescue has been used extensively in the past, prior to the
understanding of its endophytic fungus interactions and their
implications. For decades, the tall fescue cultivar Kentuckey-31 was
planted widely as a forage and erosion control plant, because it is
widely adapted, easy to establish, and long lived under harsh conditions
and mistreatment. It is now recognized that the presence of the
endophyte (in this grass and others) contributed to both the tough
nature of the grass and the poor performance of grazing animals in the
warmer months. It is suspected that this endophyte infected

cultivar has been deleterious to wildlife as well. For these reasons,
there are efforts by some groups to ban the use of tall fescue in some
states, and it still may be overused.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="2.0in"}Studies indicate
that the presence of tall fescue and the fescue endophyte diminish
biological diversity on the level of soil organisms, insects, plants,
birds, and mammals. Soil organisms, both beneficial and detrimental to
individual plants, exert a major influence on the structure of plant
communities. Beneficial associations between mycorrhizal fungi and
plants occur in about 80% of all land plants; these associations are
critical in supplying specific nutrients for many plants. Endophyte
infected tall fescue inhibits many soil organisms, including pathogenic
fungi, parasitic nematodes and beneficial mycorrhizal fungi. The fescue
endophyte produces loline alkaloids that are toxic to at least twenty
insect species from ten families and five orders. The endophyte also
produces ergot alkaloids that are toxic to mammals including domestic
livestock.

Tall fescue exerts many problems for a number of game birds. Tall
fescue, which has replaced many acres of native grass, does not supply
the type of food and cover that many smaller game species need in order
to thrive. For example, tall fescue only supports a limited number of
insects, which are an important food for both quail and turkey. Another
problem is that when tall fescue either mowed or grazed it forms a
thick, impenetrable mat of culms near the soil surface. Many birds,
including dove and quail are \"weak scratchers\" and tall fescue does
not allow enough bare ground for these birds to obtain adequate food.
Several bird species lost weight when fed an endophyte-infected tall
fescue seed compared to endophyte-free seed. Meadow voles exhibit higher
mortality rates when restricted to endophyte-infected tall fescue seed
compared to an endophyte-free diet. Grasslands dominated by
endophyte-infected tall fescue are expected to support less total
herbivore biomass, which in turn should support less predator biomass. A
25 to 30 foot wide border around tall fescue pastures, which is composed
of either native grasses or native grasses and legumes, can moderate the
harmful effect of tall fescue on wildlife. A border supplies some food
and cover for small game, and is particular effective when the pasture
is adjacent to a well-managed forest.

Studies have show that tall fescue is allelopathic to rape (*Brassica
napus* L.), bird\'s-foot trefoil (*Lotus corniculatus* L.), red clover
(*Trifolium pratense* L.), white clover (*Trifolium repens* L.),
sweetgum (*Liquidambar styraciflua* L.), and loblolly pine (*Pinus
taeda* L.). These studies did not reveal whether the endophyte or the
fescue caused the allelopathy. In a recent study, both
endophyte-infected and endophyte-free tall fescue seed extracts
exhibited allelopathy to red clover, white cover, small white clover
(*Trifolium nigrescens* Viviani), crimson clover (*Trifolium incarnatum*
L.), and subterranean clover (*Trifolium subterraneum* L.). In general,
a loss of plant diversity is expected where tall fescue is common and
where a high percentage of plants are infected with the endophyte.

Approximately 75% of the tall fescue stands in the United States are
endophyte-infected. In mixed stands, containing both endophyte-infected
and endophyte-free plants, the percentage of plants that are
endophyte-infected is expected to increase across time.

Currently, most tall fescue cultivars planted for forage contain a low
level of the endophyte (less than 5 percent). Low endophyte cultivars
are less drought tolerant and more susceptible to overgrazing than high
endophyte cultivars. Therefore, greater management skill is needed for
both the establishment and grazing management of low endophyte
cultivars. In the southern portion of the tall fescue region
(Oklahoma-Texas and eastward), cultivars with a high levels of the
endophyte are recommended because they exhibit better drought tolerance,
which results in better summer survival. Tall fescue cultivars planted
for turf and soil erosion control, in all regions, often contain high
levels of the endophyte.

The soil concentration of phosphorus near shade and water was greater in
endophyte-infected tall fescue pasture compared with endophyte-free
pasture. The risk of phosphorus loss to the environment, when grazing
endophyte infected tall fescue, can be reduced by changing the location
of shade and water every 4 or 5 years and ensuring that shade and water
are not located in areas subject to water runoff.

There are many cultivars of tall fescue. Many cultivars introduced since
1980 contain a low level of the endophyte (less that 5 percent). Fine
leafed cultivars are intended as turf grasses and often are
intentionally endophyte infected to capitalize on the competitive
advantage that the endophyte confers to the plant. Testing services are
available to have existing stands of this grass evaluated for endophyte
presence. Strategies for managing endophyte infected tall fescue for
forage include: 1) graze and clip so plants remain vegetative; 2) graze
only during spring and autumn when the plants are vegetative; 3) cut for
hay during boot stage rather than later growth stages; 4) dilute the
effect of the endophyte by intercropping tall fescue with forage
legumes. Additional information about the fescue endophyte and the
antiquality factors caused by the endophyte is available from web sites,
which can be accessed from the tall fescue Plants Profile as described
in the Key Web Sites section.

The old standby cultivar Kentucky-31 (with a high level of the
endophyte) is a very good critical area treatment grass due to its
tolerance of poor soils and abuse or neglect. However, the user should
be sure this grass will meet all the planting objectives and that there
are not good alternative species before specifying its use.

##### Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

##### Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and
may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please
consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service
office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding
its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS
Web site.

##### Description

Tall fescue is a robust long-lived, comparatively deep-rooted,
bunchgrass. The leaves of forage types are broad, while turf types have
been selected for narrow leaves. The flat leaves are smooth and shiny on
the underside, with pronounced ribs on the upper surface. The stems are
3-4 feet tall, supporting a nodding panicle that is 4-12 inches long.
There are 227,000 seeds per pound.

##### Adaptation

Tall fescue is adapted to cool and humid climates and most soils with a
pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Tall fescue will grow fairly well on soils low in
fertility, but it is better adapted to fertile conditions. Tall fescue
will produce top growth when soils are as cold as 40   F, and it
continues growth into late fall in the south. The areas of tall fescue
adaptation include all areas east of the Great Plains, except southern
and central Florida. Other areas of adaptation include the Pacific and
Intermountain Northwest and extreme southern Alaska. A map that displays
the area of adaptation for tall fescue is available from the Forage
Information System web site.

##### Establishment

Tall fescue is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and good
seedling vigor. It may be planted by any common method such as grass
seeders, hydroseeding, and broadcasting. Recommended seeding rates for
pasture and hayland establishment vary from 12 to 20 pounds per acre for
pure fescue. Some researchers recommend using the lower seeding rate of
12 pounds per acre when seeding tall fescue with a forage legume.
Seeding rates for turf establishment are very high in order to obtain a
dense, even turf, usually 50-100 pounds per acre. In mixtures with other
seed for critical area treatment work, the tall fescue component is
typically 10-15 pounds per acre.

##### Management

While tall fescue is tolerant of abuse and low fertility, it does
respond to fertilizer inputs. Follow the soil test recommendations for
turf and forage uses. The management considerations for forage use of
endophyte infected stands are discussed under **Uses**.

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Plant breeders have developed tall fescue cultivars for every region of
the tall fescue adaptation area. These cultivars include both forage and
turf types, and low and high endophyte types. University extension
publications contain information about cultivars for local areas. Also,
information about cultivars is available from the Grass Varieties in the
U.S. and Forage Information System web sites. These sites can be
accessed from the tall fescue Plants Profile as described in the Key Web
Sites section.

Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil
Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone
book under "United States Government." The Natural Resources
Conservation Service will be listed under the subheading "Department of
Agriculture."

**References**

Alderson, J & W.C. Sharp. 1994. Grass varieties in the U.S. Soil
Conservation Service, USDA, Washington, D.C.

Ball, D.M., C.S. Hoveland & C.D. Lacefield. 1996. Southern forages.
2^nd^ edition. Potash & Phosphate Institute and Foundation for Agronomic
Research, Norcross, GA.

Clemson University. Grassland Watershed Management. 2001.
\<[http://grasslands.clemson.edu/Forage%20Species/Tall%20Fescue/Tall%20Fescue.htm](http://grasslands.clemson.edu/Forage Species/Tall Fescue/Tall Fescue.htm)\>,
version 22 March 2001.

Clubine, S.E., 1995. Managing forages to benefit wildlife. p. 263-275.
*In* R.F.Barnes, D.A. Miller & C.J. Nelson (ed.) Forages: The Science of
Grassland Agriculture. Vol. 2. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames.

Luu, K.T., A.G. Matches, C. J. Nelson, E.J. Peters, and G. B. Garner.
1989. Characterization of inhibitory substances of tall fescue on
birdsfoot trefoil. Crop Sci. 29:407-412.

Matthews, J. 2000. Fescue: The lean, mean, green machine. Missouri
Prairie Journal 21: 4-7.

The Nature Conservancy, Weeds on the Web. 2001.
\<<http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/index.html>\>, version 22 March 2001.

Oregon State University, Forage Information System. 2001.
\<<http://forages.orst.edu/>\>, version 22 March 2001.

Palmer, J. 2001. Rethink tall fescue for wildlife habitats. Progressive
Farmer 116 (9):40.

Schomberg, H.H., J.A. Stuedemann, A.J. Franzluebbers, and S.R.
Wilkinson. 2000. Spatial distribution of extractable phosphorous,
potassium, and magnesium as influenced by fertilizer and tall fescue
endophyte status. Agron. J. 92: 981-986.

Sleper, D.A. & R. C. Buckner. 1995. The fescues. p. 345-356. *In*
R.F.Barnes, D.A. Miller and C.J. Nelson (ed.) Forages: The Science of
Grassland Agriculture. Vol. 1. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames.

Springer, T.L. 1996. Allelopathic effects on germination and seedling
growth of clovers by endophyte-free and -infected tall fescue. Crop Sci.
36: 1639-1642.

##### Prepared By & Species Coordinator: 

*James F. Henson*, USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

##### 

##### Edited 22 March 2001 jfh; 060817 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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