Wanted Dead

Saltcedar (Tamarisk)

Tamarix ramosissima

Though Saltcedar is a tree and not a weed, it is one of the most notorious invasive species in the west.  Stands of saltcedars form monocultures along stream banks and riparian areas which severely limits wildlife biodiversity and in McKinley SWCD, strains the already scarce water table with high water intake.  Saltcedar is a deciduous or evergreen shrub to small tree, growing up to 20 feet in height (but some conservationists would swear that they have seen larger ones growing in the Rio Puerco!).  Saltcedar has the characteristic small scaly leaves on highly branched slender stems with 5 petaled pink to white flowers.