Saltcedar is a deciduous, perennial shrub or small tree in the Tamaricaceae (tamarisk) family. It may be branched from the base and reaches between 5 and 25 feet tall. Leaves are blue-green, small (1.5 to 3.5mm long), and scale-like giving these species a cedar-like appearance. Branches and stems are reddish-brown. Bark on old growth will become furrowed; new stems are slender and flexible. Saltcedar does not produce flowers until the third year of growth. Flowers are pink to white and formed in thin racemes at the tips of branches. Individual flowers are very small and have five petals. Seeds are formed in capsules and are very small and black to brown in color. Saltcedar has a deep, spreading root system. This root system is capable of reaching 30 feet or more underground to access the water table.
Saltcedar species are native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Africa, as well as, regions of Asia. These species were introduced to North America as ornamentals. Saltcedar spreads by seeds and sprouts from roots and disturbed root crowns and stumps. It is primarily found in riparian areas where it creates dense and extensive monocultures through seed and root spread. In Teton County, small saltcedar plants have been found along the Snake River in areas with heavy recreational use. It is likely that these plants made their way to Teton County on watercraft coming from areas like the Colorado or Green River.
Saltcedar rapidly alters its environment. It consumes large amounts of water which can alter stream flow. Leaves and stems secrete salt which prevents establishment of native species within saltcedar stands.
Prevention and cultural control strategies should be utilized as much as possible. Clean Drain Dry your watercraft, including rafts, paddleboards and waders, to prevent spreading saltcedar to other riparian areas especially after visiting other waterways with dense saltcedar infestations.
There are no biological controls for saltcedar currently available in Teton County.
Because saltcedar is a shrub/tree with a deep, extensive root system, mechanical removal techniques should be used in conjunction with herbicides. Small plants, especially in sandy or gravelly soils, can be pulled out by hand taking care to remove as much of the root as possible. Monitoring should be repeated until certain that the root stock is dead. Larger shrubs and trees should be removed by using a cut-stump method (cutting or sawing the trunk and immediately applying herbicide to the stump). Continue monitoring for several years to ensure that the root stock does not resprout. Cut-stump and other herbicide treatments are most effective in late summer or early fall.
