Saltcedar (Tamarisk Family) is a native of Eurasia. It was introduced to North America for ornamental purposes, erosion control, and windbreaks. Saltcedar is a deciduous, loosely branched shrub or small tree. It is a long-lived plant that can reach heights of 20 feet or more. Leaves are appressed, scale-like, and alternately arranged. Flowers are whitish or pinkish and most abundant between April and August. The primary root of saltcedar can reach depths of 90 feet or more. After reaching the water table, horizontal roots develop and spread up to 150 feet laterally. These roots are capable of producing new shoots. In Montana, saltcedar commonly dies back overwinter and re-grows from stump sprouts, forming multiple stemmed bushes.

Habitat

Saltcedar can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions, including highly saline habitats. It commonly establishes on floodplains, salt flats, wetlands, and along lake margins, streams, and rivers. Saltcedar displaces Photo by Steve Dewey native stands of wetland and riparian vegetation. It provides low wildlife habitat value and consumes large quantities of water. A large plant can transpire up to 300 gallons per day. Saltcedar also concentrates salt in its leaves. The accumulation of leaf litter increases the salinity of surface soil and renders the soil inhospitable to native plants. Saltcedar grows in dense stands. This widens floodplains and increases sediment deposition by clogging stream channels. Saltcedar is intolerant of shade. Shaded plants have altered morphology and reduced reproduction. Maintain a dense canopy cover to hinder saltcedar growth and establishment. Saltcedar invasion may be hindered along rivers that experience spring flooding. These natural events maintain healthy riparian ecosystems by regenerating native vegetation and removing fine sediments. In the absence of natural flooding, saltcedar colonization is aided by diminished plant competition and accumulated sediment. Natural flooding events maintain healthy river systems and hinder saltcedar invasion.

Biology and spread

Saltcedar reproduces by vegetative shoots and seeds. An adult plant can produce 600,000 seeds each year. Seeds remain viable for up to 45 days under ideal conditions. Seedlings grow slowly and require saturated soils throughout the first 2 to 4 weeks of growth. Ideal conditions for first-year survival are saturated soil during the first few weeks of life and open sunny ground with little competition from other plants. Saltcedar also has the ability to sprout from submerged or buried stems with adventitious buds. Saltcedar seeds are readily dispersed by wind and water. Seeds may also be transported to new bodies of water in the feathers of waterfowl or in mud on boots and equipment.

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