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
Photo of saltcedar

Leaves

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

Flower

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

Root

  • Deep taproot with creeping roots
Photo of saltcedar

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
Photo of saltcedar

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
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection
This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N...
 Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress
Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada.
 B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
African mustard plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – African mustard
African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of common crupina stem
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina
Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of Common St. Johnswort plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common St. Johnswort
Common St. Johnswort is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

master gardeners in garden

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans

ladybug larva eating aphids on a pepper plant

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management program is a long-term management strategy that uses a combination of tactics to reduce pests to tolerable levels with potentially lower costs for the pest manager and minimal effect on the environment.