Introduction
Saltcedar is native to Eurasia but was introduced to North American in the early 1800’s as an ornamental and also for erosion control. It was quick to escape cultivation and has since been spreading rapidly. This attractive shrub has characteristics similar to an evergreen but looses its leaves in the colder months and is therefore considered deciduous. Saltcedars readily establish along waterways, streams, canals, banks, drainage areas, and anywhere that the soils are exposed to an extended period of moisture.
Saltcedar has become well established throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico. There are also extensive infestations in many of the northern states and small but well-established stands in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota. In most western Montana counties, these shrubs are found as ornamental in landscaped yards.
Concerns
This long-lived shrub (50-100 years) can spread by both vegetative re-growth and seeds. Each flowering shrub produces around 600,000 seeds. Not only are they long lived and have great reproductive capabilities, but they also grow extremely rapidly. Most of these shrubs can flower the same year they germinate. They exclude native vegetation by exuding salts above and below ground. This creates a saline crust, which inhibits other plants from growing in close proximity. The other main concern with Saltcedar is its consumption of large quantities of water. One shrub can consume up to 250 gallons of water in 1 day. This can result in lowering the ground water and drying up springs and marshes, which in turn lessens the amount of water available in riparian areas. Saltcedar’s dense roots also slow down river flow, which increases deposition of sediments along the river bank. This widens the riparian zones causing a severe reduction in streamflow or rechanneling, which creates more habitat for Saltcedar to colonize.
Identification
This shrub can reach heights of up to 25 feet and has dense branches that often make it many feet wide. The narrow leaves of a Saltcedar resemble those of a juniper but they fall off in the colder months unlike junipers. This shrub is also known as a smoke tree because of it beautiful plumes of deep pink to white flowers that crowd the tips of the branches. The bark of a Saltcedar is reddish-brown, while the wood is soft and white. The smooth bark becomes furrowed with age.
What can you do?
Saltcedar is very difficult to control. A combination of methods is the most effective means of control. Cutting the stump and immediately applying herbicide has proved to be successful. The herbicide has to be applied within 1 minute of cutting the shrub or it will not penetrate into the stump. If you have a Saltcedar or you know where one is please contact your local weed district.  We will be happy to help in the proper control of these highly invasive shrubs.
Visit the MWCA Weed ID pages for additional information and pictures of saltcedar.
This series of articles was developed by Ravalli County. If you would like to use these articles please contact Ravalli County Weed District Weed Coordinator at (406) 777-5842.