Salt cedar - CKISS - Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society

(Tamarix spp.)

Description

Native to Northern Europe and temperate and tropical Asia.
Deciduous shrub/small tree
Introduced to the western United Statesin the 1800s for ornamental use
Foliage is bright green in summer. Leaves are diamond-shaped and scaly, resembling the leaves of a cedar tree. Leaves turn orange in the fall.
White-pink flowers grow in long clusters.
Grows especially well in fine-textured soils but can tolerate other soil conditions.
Shade intolerant.
Mainly found in riparian areas.
Reproduces by primarily by seed, but vegetative reproduction through fragmented roots or branches is also possible.
Produces 600,000 seeds per plant per year.
Recorded sites in Nelson, Trail and Montrose.

Creates deep taproots which can access groundwater and uptake vast amounts of water.
This plant can interfere with the water cycle and increase the frequency, intensity and effect of fires and floods.
Invades streambanks, lakeshores and wetlands.
Crowds out native species such as willows and red osier dogwood.

Mechanical removal can be difficult since the plant can reproduce from small fragments
Chemical treatments are rarely suitable for this plant since it grows in riparian areas.
Select a non-invasive alternatives to invasive plants, see the Grow Me Instead guide for preferred alternatives.
Avoid accidentally introducing non-native plants to surrounding water bodies by installing water gardens a safe distance away. Ensure water gardens are not allowed to overflow to wetlands, streams or rivers.
Properly dispose of garden and yard waste by double bagging and disposing of it at your local landfill.
Prevent plants from spreading from existing populations by washing vehicles, boots and animals that have been in infested areas.
Report plants infestations found in remote locations.