Tamarix ramosissima L. Family: Tamaricaceae Sourcesandybottom.com Carinna Robertson Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science Forest and Rangeland Management

Many names of: Tamarix ramosissima L. Common names: – tamarisk – saltcedar – French tamarisk – small-flowered tamarisk Scientific Names: – Tamarix pentandra – Tamarix chinensis – Tamarix gallica – Tamarix parviflora – Tamarix tetrandra

Plant Characteristics: Growth Form: - Perennial/Dicots - Tree - < 12m - Shrub m Root Growth: - branching lateral root system - phreatophytes Flowering: - light to dark pink flowers - bloom from April to October w/ one large seeding peak, but has continued seeding throughout the season sepals styles - stamens located on a fleshy lobed disk Fruit valve capsule Reproduction : - Resprout - Seeds - often produced in 1 st year - small - light - tuff hair - Wind dispersed - Deposited via water or animals Germination: - High youth viability - approx. 5 weeks - Once settling has occurred germination will occur within 24hrs. - However, germination can occur in water

Plant Characteristic Cont.- Seedling Establishment and Survival -Need saturated soil for first few weeks -High sunlight -No competing vegetation Mortality - If soil dries for 1 day then seedling will not survive - High water flow velocities can cause uprooting up to several months after germination First Stages of Development:

Ecological Characteristics: Soils -Tolerant of high saline soils (6mgL⁻ to 15mgL⁻) - Typically sands Allelopathy - Leaves release high salt concentrations - Which deposit below the Tamarix and create a hard crust Competition: Favorable Competitive Characteristics: - High plasticity and adaptability - High endurance - High drought tolerance - High temperature tolerant (xeric regions) - High salt tolerance - The combined effect of hard crust and being able to access a lower water table makes Tamarix a more sufficient competitor

Geographic Distribution: -Native Origin: -Southern Europe -North Africa/South Africa -Middle East -South Asia -China -Japan -Habitat Type: - Moist Spots in Desert Regions

Non-Native Invaded range: Introduction: - First introduced in early 1800’s as ornamentals, windbreaks, shade, erosion control and stream bank stabilization, and as source of wood -Naturalized by By 1920’s problem was realized - Control efforts started by 1960’s Distribution: - Tamarix spp. is considered a noxious weed and has infested ~36 states ’s ~ 4,000 ha ~ 400, ,000 ha Favorable Habitats - Saline soils in xeric environments - Variety of stream and riverbanks

Ecological, Economical and Social Impacts: Ecological: Decreases Native Species and Habitat Diversity Inhibits Native Phreatophytes Forms Monoculture Communities Reduces the Water Table the Longer the Invasion Creates a Saline Environment Economical: Reduces Water Supplies Reduces Recreation Reduces Agricultural Uses Increases flooding Reduces wildlife diversity Reduces Transpiration Reduce Soil Quality Social: Health and Safety How we perceive and appreciate the environment spend our time

Benefits of Tamarisk to the Surrounding Habitat: stabilizes stream and river banks constitutes half the diet of beavers provides habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailii extimus) and the white-winged dove aesthetically attractive honey bees favor the flowers woodrats (Neotoma spp.) and the desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) forage adult Tamarix

Control Methods and Strategies: Biological Control Method: - Leaf Beetle: Diorhabda elongata - Used to defoliate Tamarix spp. - Successful, but how will beetles effect other aspects? -restructure or eliminate tamarisk patches - vary regionally - effect native species James Tracy - USDA-ARS, Temple Texas, Bob Richard - USDA-APHIS-PPQ, Dan Bean-CDA Palisade Insectary, and Tim Carlson - Tamarisk Coalition.

Control Methods and Strategies Cont’d: Grazing: -Cattle will sometimes eat young tamarisk shrubs -Goats may eat the regrowth of tamarisk -However, grazing is not a primary control method - Animals prefer higher valued forage Mechanical Methods: -Many unsuccessful because Tamarix spp. ability to resprout - Root plowing to cm can be effective, but destroy other vegetation Fire: Successful - Ideal time for best rates - Kills tamarisk during hot summers and drought - Need to re-apply for 3-4 years to fully kill - Often need to combine methods - A lot of implementation factors involved

Control Methods and Strategies Cont’d: Herbicide: -New Mexico - Sprayed Arsenal (imazapyr )provided 90-99% control at a cost of $85/acre - Mix of Arsenal + Round-up (glyphosphate) provided 90-99% control at a cost of $60/acre - Tebuthiuron is also approved for foliar treatments -California - Garlon 4 (triclopyr) and Round-up (glyphosphate)

Conclusions: Removal and restoration of Tamarix spp. infested areas should be of primary concern Funds and support needs to be in place to proceed Consideration should be taken to acknowledge the side- effects of each control method Ultimately, I think biological control methods are more favorable, but the side-effect must be known and understood

-Hughes Lee E “The Devil’s Own”-Tamarisk. Rangelands 15(4): McDaniel Kirk C. and J.P. Taylor.2003.Saltcedar recovery after herbicide-burn mechanical clearing practices. J. Range Management 56: Daoyuan Zhang,Y. Linke and P. Borong Biological and ecological characteristics of Tamarix L. and its effect on the ecological environment. Science in China (45). -Whitcraft Christine R., D.M. Talley, J.A. Crooks, J. Boland, and J. Gaskin Invasion of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) in a southern California salt marsh. Biol. Invasions 9: Cosse Allard A., R.J. Bartelt, B,W. Zilkowski, D.W. Bean, and E.R. Andress Behaviorally Active Green Leaf Volaties for Monitoring the Leaf Beetle, Diorhabda elongata, a Biocontrol Agent of Saltcedar, Tamarix spp.. J. Chem. Ecol. 32: Tomaso Joseph M Impact, Biology, and Ecology of Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) in the Southwestern United States. Weed Technology. 12: Taylor John P. and K.C. McDaniel Restoration of Saltcedar (Tamarix sp.)- Infested Floodplains on the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Weed Technology 12: Kimball Bruce A. and K.R. Perry Manipulating Beaver (Castor canadensis) Feeding Responses to Invasive Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) -Duncan K.W. and K.C. McDaniel Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) Management with Imazapyr. Weed Technology 12: Sharfroth Patrick B. et al Control of Tamarix in the Western United States: Implications for Water Salvage, Wildlife Use, and Riparian Restoration. Environ. Manage. 35: USDA, NRCS The PLANTS Database ( 20 November 2008). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA USA. - In class notes, Bob Nowak. Works Cited:

Questions?