(Tamarix Spp.)
Saltcedar, or Tamarisk, is a non-native deciduous evergreen shrub or small tree that grows from 5 to 20 feet tall. The bark on saplings and stems is reddish-brown. The leaves are small, scale-like and bluish-green in color. Tiny pink to white flowers have five petals and grow on slender racemes. Salt cedar reproduces by seeds as well as vegetatively. A mature plant can produce up to 600,000 seeds per year. Seeds are viable for up to 45 days under ideal conditions. Salt cedar buds break dormancy in February or March. Flowering occurs anytime between April and August. Ideal conditions for Salt cedar seedling survival are saturated soil during the first few weeks of life, a high water table, and open sunny ground with little competition from other plants.
