Tamarisk

               According to The Nature Conservancy, tamarisks are members of the Tamarisk Family (Tamaricaceae) but there is some dispute regarding the correct scientific naming of the deciduous species of tamarisk now at large and very invasive in western North America.

So while open to future correctons, we are dealing with the following three species: Tamarix ramosissma, T. chinensis, and T. parviflora.

Commonly known as tamarix, or the saltcedars, these tall shrubs or small trees are often found growing along streams and rivers out West, where they form tightly woven masses of stems, the branches and offshoots of trees often up to 30 feet tall. Recent classifications list the species as among the worst Ten Most Noxious Weeds in America.

Small, scaly leaves (like those of cedars), about 1/16^th inch long, clasp the stems giving a light and airy look to the plants. In the right environment, they are often encrusted with salt secretions.

Tamarisks bloom with plumes of many, small, four or five petalled flowers of white or pink. Each little flower produces thousands of tiny seeds, usually spread by wind power. They can also spread by water.

Originally, tamarisks were natives of the Mediterranean region, and east to China and Japan. In the early 1800s, they were introduced to America both as ornamentals (some nurseries still sell them as innocents), and to plant along river and stream banks to control erosion.

    By the turn of the last century, plants began to escape—and spread. And today, according to various conservation agencies, grow unchecked on some 1,000,000 acres, primarily in Texas, Utah, New Mexico, and is on the increase in California.

It’s a beautiful plant and does its job in controlling erosion, so what’s the problem? You’ve heard it before: Tamarisks crowd out native plants (including food for wildlife), and in so doing, choke waterways, use up precious water without any returns, and are especially dangerous because the roots can tolerate brackish and salty water by releasing built-up salts through its leaves. In addition, while flash fires will kill most natives, the roots of tamarixes just sprout again.

Method of Removal: Because they are so deep rooted and maintain a great “flushing system” (based on their ability to remove salt), there is difficulty with chemical control. With mass infestations, trees are cut to the ground then the stumps are sprayed with systemic herbicides. But that’s an often difficult (and dangerous) process for the homeowner.

----- Original Message -----

From: Graham Rice

To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum

Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 9:56 PM

Subject: Re: [GWL] Query

Let's not get carried away here...

Research also shows that tamarisks tend to become established after the stable drainage system around a river has already been changed, for example by increased upstream abstraction. (So it may well be the tamarisk arrived as a result of the reduced low in the Coloradao!) Another study shows that saltcedar is 'functionally equivalent' to native cottonwood and that in saltcedar 'understory herbaceous cover and species richness were significantly greater than in cottonwood stands'. (Email me offlist for references.) So what happens to the unusually rich herbaceous flora when the saltcedar is sprayed (as recommended in the South West farm Press article)?

Graham Rice

http://GrahamRice.com

I had no idea this would become such a popular item.
Here's a link to the origin of the stats I quoted earlier. It's a pub in New
Mexico (No, not THAT kind of pub. An Ag paper.)

southwestfarmpress.com/ar/farming_new_mexico_works/

I first met tamarisks up close & personal in Arizona in 2001, on a raft trip
through Grand Canyon. Trees 20 feet and more from the river's usual bank have
roots that stretch right into the water. I believe they are probably a major
contributor to the fact that the Colorado doesn't make it all the way to the
ocean anymore. And yes, at a couple thou per acre, they would be pretty shrubby.
JF
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