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Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Caryophyllanae
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Tamaricaceae
Genus	Tamarix

Scientific Name

Tamarix ramosissima

Common Name

saltcedar

Salt cedar (Tamarix spp.)

Author: Michael Moechnig

Adapted from the South Dakota State University Cooperative Extension Weed Control webpage on salt cedar

Identification and Life Cycle

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) is a long lived deciduous tree in the tamarisk family. There are several species of saltcedar in the high plains region and the species are thought to hybridize. Saltcedar has a deep extensive taproot. Root systems reaching 90 feet deep with 150 feet of lateral spread have been documented. Stems are smooth, woody, dark brown to reddish-brown, and can reach heights of 20 feet. Leaves are alternate, appressed, scalelike, and arranged alternately on stems. Flowers form in finger like clusters and are white to deep pink with 5 petals.

Habitats

Saltcedar can grow in a wide range of environmental conditions including floodplains, salt flats, wetland areas, and along lake, stream, and river margins.

Impacts

Some reports suggest saltcedar can use up to 200 gallons of water each day and deplete small streams or lakes. Salt cedar also displaces native wetland and riparian vegetation through competition and by accumulating salt in its leavesresulting in increased salinity near the soil surface as leaf litter accumulates.

Biology and Ecology

Saltcedar can reproduce by vegetative shoots and seeds. In northern climates such as Montana, saltcedar can die back over winter and resprout from stumps in the spring. Seedlings are slow growing and require saturated soil for the first 2 to 4 weeks of growth followed by open sunny ground with little competition from other plants. Peak flowering occurs between April and August. Mature plants can produce 600,000 seeds per year and seeds can remain viable for 45 days under ideal conditions. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, and animals.

Management Approaches

Biological Control

There is a leaf feeding beetle, Diorhabda elongate, that has been cleared for release in research plots in the United States to control saltcedar.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Cutting and burning remove above-ground growth but will not prevent resprouting. Grubbing and root plowing that shear the plant below the crown can prevent most regrowth, but is destructive to the environment. Remove and burn all stem fragments as buds can sprout and grow in to new plants. Flooding root crowns for at least three months can help reduce spread of saltcedar, and flooding for 28-36 months can result in 99% plant kill.

Chemical Control

Some plants may re-grow after herbicide treatments resulting in the need to re-apply in one to two years. Imazapyr (e.g. Habitat, Polaris, and others) may be applied to green, actively growing foliage. Complete foliar coverage is important for adequate control. Triclopyr ester (e.g. Garlon 4) may be applied to the trunk bark during winter. Either imazapyr or triclopyr may be applied to cut stump surfaces. Check labels for correct adjuvants and rates appropriate for each type of application.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage salt cedar

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.