Lym, Rodney G.

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Saltcedar(Tamarix spp.)Identification and ControlRodney G. LymNDSU Department of Plant SciencesNorth Dakota State UniversityFargo, North Dakota 58105FEBRUARY 2002Reviewed and reprinted February 2003W-1223Saltcedar is the common name for several introduced speciesof shrubs or small trees including Tamarix chinensis, T.parviflora, and T. ramosissima. Saltcedar invades riparianhabitats and displaces native flora and fauna. Saltcedar wasfirst introduced in the U.S. to reclaim eroded areas and preventfurther loss of stream banks, primarily in the southwest.Saltcedar has been sold in the horticultural industry, primarilyfor its wide adaptability and pink flowers.How do I identify this plant? Saltcedar, or tama-risk, is a shrubby bush or tree that can range in size from 5 to20 feet tall (Figure 1). The bark is a reddish brown, especiallyon younger branches. The leaves are small and flat andresemble evergreen shrubs such as arborvitae (Figure 2).Flowers are pink to white in color, five-petaled, and appearfrom mid to late summer. The seeds are extremely tiny andsimilar in size and color to pepper. Each seed has a pappuswhich allows it to float long distances in water or move in thewind. Seeds are short-lived and usually germinate within afew months after dispersal.What is saltcedar’s growth cycle? Once saltcedarseed germinates it can grow rapidly to a small flowering shrubin one to two years. The plant is very hardy and horticulturalvarieties are advertised to grow “in sun or shade, and in wetor dry areas” from USDA hardiness zones 2 to 7. The plantquickly establishes a long, woody taproot (Figure 3) to sup-port a voracious thirst for water. The root system is capable ofproducing many new shoots if the top growth is removed bymechanical control methods or fire.Why is this plant a concern? Saltcedar can quicklybecome a monoculture along lakes and waterways. A singleplant has been reported to transpire over 200 gallons of waterper day. In the early morning and evening moisture with highsalt content is exuded from the foliage, causing the soil tobecome saline. Saltcedar can choke waterways and has evenFigure 1. Saltcedar.Figure 2. Saltcedar leaves and flowers.STOP THE SPREADNDSU Extension Service, North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. SharonD. Anderson, Director, Fargo, North Dakota. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We offer our programsand facilities to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, Vietnam era veterans status, or sexual orientation;and are an equal opportunity employer. 5M-02-03, 3M-02-02This publication will be made available in alternative format upon request to people with disabilities (701) 231-7881.For more information on this and other topics, see: www.ag.ndsu.nodak.eduIf you find this weed, report itto your local weed officer.HELP STOP THE SPREADdried up entire lakes (Figure 4). Native riparian speciesare quickly displaced by saltcedar, which in turn causesdisplacement of native birds and animals that generally donot feed on the leaves or eat the saltcedar seeds. Saltcedar,even in the seedling stage, will tolerate short-term floodingand can establish away from waterways when seeds arewashed in during flooding. Once established the plants canbecome so thick cattle will not graze the area.Where in the state is this plant found?Saltcedar has been sold in North Dakota for many years asvarious tamarisk species, also called tamrix. Homeownerplantings can escape to waterways. However, the largestinfestation is from a vigorous wild type of saltcedar which isspreading into western North Dakota along the Yellowstoneand Missouri Rivers from Montana. These plants have beenfound along the rivers and on the banks several hundredyards away from the rivers. The latter were likely establishedduring spring flooding. Saltcedar has also been found alongthe shores of Lake Sakakawea and in a wildlife managementarea in Sargent County. Saltcedar was collected in BensonCounty in 1968 and in Belfield in Billings County in 1970. Bothsources were likely from ornamental plantings. Saltcedar isalso likely to occur in Slope and Bowman Counties in thesouthwestern corner of North Dakota.How do I control this plant? Prevention is thebest method to keep saltcedar from invading North Dakotawetlands and wildlands. Arsenal is the most widely usedherbicide to control saltcedar and should be applied aloneat a 1% solution to the foliage or at 12 ounces per gallon ofwater as a cut stump treatment. Arsenal can also be appliedwith a glyphosate formulation labeled for use in water suchas Rodeo or Glypro. Do not remove saltcedar topgrowth for 3years following herbicide application or resprouting will occur.Consult the label for recommended use rates and locations.Cultural control methods such as burning or bulldozing havenot been successful. Biological control is in the beginningresearch stage and is not recommended in North Dakotabecause of the limited saltcedar acreage.Figure 4. Saltcedar displaces native plantsand wildlife. (Keith Duncan, New Mexico State Univ.)Figure 3. Long, woody taproot of saltcedar.(Dean Cline, N.D. Dept. of Ag.)

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.): Identification and Control

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