Saltcedar - Tamarisk

Saltcedar - Tamarisk

Tamarix chinensis, and T. ramosissima

Colorado list B - Eradication required in Jefferson County

Information Sheet (pdf)

General

• Family: Tamaricaceae (Tamarisk)
• Has been sold as an ornamental but is no longer available in Colorado
• Introduced from Asia

Habitat

• Deciduous shrub and small tree
• High drought and seasonal flood tolerance
• Riparian areas and wetlands

Plant

Vegetation

• Accumulate salts in foliage
• Feathery leaves, gray-green in color
• Small tree or shrub up to 20 feet tall

Roots

• Deep tap roots

Flower

• Color: small pink to white flowers on racemes (long, narrow clusters)
• Season: June to September

Seed

• Can germinate in 24 hours
• Small, wind-borne seeds

Seedling

• Reddish-brown bark on saplings and stems

Reproduction

• Cut stems
• Root fragments
• Seed

Control

Biological

• Not allowed – eradication is required

Chemical

• View Information Sheet (PDF)

Cultural

• Hand pulling young plants
• Prevention – maintain health of site

Mechanical

• Burning - Not effective; readily re-sprouts from crown
• Cutting / Mowing - Cutting combined with an herbicide treatment is most effective
• Grazing - Goats can be effective on the regrowth after a stand is cut

Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.