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Riparian Noxious Weeds <br />Saltcedar/tamarisk Identification and <br />Management <br />Saltcedar, aka tamarisk (Tamarix raniosissinra), is a non-native deciduous or <br />evergreen shrub or small tree that grows from 5 to 20 feet tall. The bark on <br />saplings and stems is reddish -brown. The Ieaves are small and scale -like and the <br />flowers are pink to white and 5 -petaled. Saltcedar reproduces by seeds as well as <br />vegetatively. A mature plant can produce up to 600,000 seeds per year. Seeds are <br />viable for up to 45 days under ideal conditions. Saltcedar buds break dormancy <br />in February or March. Flowering occurs anytime between April and August. <br />Ideal conditions for saltcedar seedling survival are saturated soil during the first <br />few weeks of life, a high water table, and open sunny ground with little <br />competition from other plants. <br />Saltcedar was introduced from <br />Eurasia and is now widespread in the <br />United States. It was introduced as an <br />ornamental and as a streambank stabilizer. Saltcedar crowds out native stands of <br />riparian and wetland vegetation. It increases salinity of surface soil, rendering <br />the soil inhospitable to native plant species. It uses more water than native plant <br />communities, one large saltcedar plant can consume up to 200 gallons of water <br />per day. Saltcedar can be found along floodplains, riverbanks, streambanks, <br />marshes, and irrigation ditches. <br />The most effective method of control for saltcedar is to prevent its <br />establishment through proper land management. Monitor susceptible areas for <br />new infestations. <br />On the backside of this sheet are saltcedar management recommendations. <br />If you have any questions or would Iike more information, please contact the <br />Weld County Public Works Dept., Weed Division at (970) 304-6496 ext. 3770. <br />Please visit our website www.weldweeds.ore. <br />