Stem

Shrub or small tree; multiple large stems arise from root crown; up to 20 ft. tall, highly branched with reddish-brown bark; leaves turn yellow to red in autumn

Leaves

Alternate; deciduous; green to blue-green, small (0.06-0.14 in. long), oval to lance-shaped, overlapping and scale-like

Flower

Tiny with 5 white to pink petals; arranged in finger-like clusters at the tips of branches

Root

Deep taproot with creeping roots

Other

Often found along edges of waterways, lakes and ponds; known to occur throughout Nevada
Perennial; reproduces by seed, roots and stem fragments
High concentration of salt in fallen leaves can impact growth of other plants
Also known as tamarisk

Control

Cutting, digging or burning MUST be combined with a chemical application to be effective
An insect biological control agent is available
Apply imazapyr to actively growing foliage during flowering; glyphosate, imazapyr or triclopyr as a cut stump or basal bark treatment

Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Saltcedar, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Saltcedar