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NETWORK CENTER >> Reference Library >> Saltcedar |
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Saltcedar |
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The Enemy - Saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) is a deciduous or evergreen tree that inhabits water ways, especially small reservoirs. This invader has small scale-like leaves and pink to white flowers, giving the tree a very beautiful appearance. This plant was and continues to be introduced through the nursery industry but is now listed as a noxious weed. This tree can be shrub like or if old enough can look like other cedar trees. Unfortunately it has been seen along the green-belt in Idaho Falls and around Ririe Reservoir. The Strategy - Saltcedar develops roots very quickly and once established it has the ability to drain all the water out of small water systems. One single tree can use up to 200 gallon of precious water each day. I have seen lakes in Nevada that are dry and once the tree is removed the lakes fills back up. It also drips a ‘salty’ residue which prevents other plants from growing around it (like Arborvitae), but this residue remains even after the tree is removed. The Defense - DO NOT PLANT ONE – As this is now a noxious weed in Idaho which makes is illegal to plant. Cutting down the tree (even if it was planted years ago by Grandma) is most effective, but it will be necessary to ‘paint’ a herbicide on the fresh cut surface to kill the stump. You can try to pull the small plant up, but even a 3 foot tree can have roots deep enough that they snap off at the ground. There are a few insects available to control the tree, but the birds love to eat them. Using herbicides such as Garlon, Arsenal, and in some cases Roundup are best, but watch for off-target drift of the herbicide. Most importantly, watch for this plant in your nursery magazines as it is the wrong plant to plant in our area. OTHER RESOURCES
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