All plant descriptions and control methods courtesy University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Saltcedar, also referred to as tamarisk, is a small, shrubby, deciduous tree native to Eurasia. Introduced in the 1800s, it has naturalized throughout the desert Southwest, particularly along waterways and in wetlands. Saltcedar is well adapted to salty, alkaline soils, temperature extremes, and windy sites. Its aggressive root system uses much groundwater, out-competing native species by forming dense stands. In many sites, saltcedar forms a pure stand that is almost impenetrable. Few, if any, plants grow under its canopy. Salts accumulate in the soil from its leaf litter and the excretion of salt from its leaves. Nurseries in Nevada are not to sell this perennial plant; it is listed as a noxious weed by Nevada Administrative Code.
Distinguishing features:
Most Effective Strategy:
This is a very difficult plant species to control
once it becomes well established in a water way or along a water system. Using a combination of mechanical control, biological
control, and herbicides has proven to be the most effective method of reducing saltcedar infestations. Check the higher
elevations of all drainages as seed appears to be moved by birds to the upper ends of water systems. Control efforts should start at
the upstream portion of the water way. Foliar applications of herbicides are effective on smaller saltcedar plants. After
they become well established and grow to a large size, mechanical cutting and treatment of the stumps have proven effective.
Follow-up treatments are necessary to control missed or newly emerging plants. To avoid stimulating new growth, do not burn
treated plants for a least 2 years following herbicide applications. This is a long-term effort which must be continued until the
roots and seeds in the soil are depleted.
Mechanical Control:
Plowing, cutting, mowing, chaining, and burning fail to
control saltcedar on large scale projects because the plants resprout. Use of a root plow has been successful in some areas.
Success has been achieved after a fire when plant root crowns are removed before the next growing season and all new growth is
removed as it occurs.
Cultural Control:
No cultural control methods have been found to be
effective.
Biological Control:
A leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongata) was released in
Schurz, Stillwater, and Lovelock, Nevada. Research continues on its adaptability, reproductive ecology, and predation of
saltcedar. This leaf beetle is successfully defoliating trees and spreading across northern Nevada. It may take several seasons of
defoliation to kill trees outright. A mealy bug (Trabutina mannipara) has been released in the United States for saltcedar control, but
it is not adapted to colder, drier environments and was therefore not released in Nevada.
Read and follow all labels. It is the law!
Chemical Control:
Triclopyr (Garlon®)
Rate: Use 1 to 8 quarts per acre of Garlon 4® .
Time: Apply when plants are actively growing.
Remarks: For best results, use a basal-bark or cut-stump treatment. Use
higher rate when brush is greater that 15 feet in height. Mix with 2,4-D or picloram to increase effectiveness of control.
Caution: Follow the label recommendations closely. Avoid water
contamination, do not apply on irrigation ditches.
Imazapyr (Arsenal®)
Rate: Apply 4 to 6 pints per acre.
Time: Use as a postemergence application only.
Remarks: Apply higher rates where dense or well-established infestations
occur. Use a tank mix with Tordon®, Garlon®, Banvel®, Escort®, or Telar® to increase its effectiveness. Tank mixing with
2,4-D has resulted in reduced performance by Arsenal®.
Caution: Use on noncropland only. See table below for application methods.
| Imazapyr (Arsenal ®) Treatment Methods | |||
| Cut-Stump | Basal-Bark | Foliar | |
| Plant Growth Stage | Effective in all stages of plant growth, triclopyr works best in summer and fall. | All stages, but most effective when applied to stems less than 3 inches in diameter and treated when dormant compared to spring or summer applications. | Best results occur with an aerial application of imazapyr in the late summer to early fall (August to September). Stop before fall dormancy begins. |
| Treatment Process | Paint the cut stumps immediately with triclopyr (within 10 minutes, sooner is better). Use a watersoluble dye to track the treated plants. | Spray the lower uncut 15 inches of the plant with triclopyr in an oil carrier. Be sure to spray the entire bark surface of the stem. | Herbicides and wetting agent are broadcast-applied. Both ground application and aerial applications are equally effective. |
| Herbicide Application | Thoroughly treat each stump, especially the cambium layer just inside of the bark. Stumps must be wetted completely for good control. | For low volume applications: Mix 25 to 30 gallons triclopyr with oil to make a 100 gallon mixture. Apply to plants with stems less than 3 inches in diameter. | Apply imazapyr with surfactant until the saltcedar is wet, but not dripping. Do not disturb the crown and roots of large trees for 2 to 3 years to allow imazapyr to move throughout the tree, which prevents resprouting. |
| Effectiveness | Most popular and effective in areas unsuitable for aerial or ground applications. Use this method near water to avoid drift and contamination. | Inconsistent results. Retreatment of the stems that were not killed is difficult compared to cut-stump treatment. Use in rocky areas or when labor is not available for treating cut stumps. | Effective on large stands with few nontarget plants growing among the saltcedar. The shoots normally die within 1 year, the roots within 2 years. |
| Retreatment | It is necessary to follow up to control any missed stems. | May need to retreat the following year. | Retreat If necessary. |
Imazapyr (Habitat®)
Rate: Broadcast aerially at 3 quarts per acre. For spot treatment and ground
application, use a 1% v/v (volume of product/ volume of water) spray to cover (not wet) the foliage.
Time: Early spring and fall before leaf fall.
Remarks: Will control undesirable vegetation growing in or around wetlands,
riparian and surface waters.
Caution: Remove livestock before treatment and for 30 days following
treatment. Do not produce hay for 30 days from treated area.
Glyphosate (Roundup®, Aquamaster™, Rodeo®, or Aquamaster™)
Rate: Use a 50 percent or 100 percent solution.
Time: Immediately after cutting the stem.
Remarks: Will control, partially control, or suppress when used as a cut-stump treatment.
Caution: Follow the label recommendations and precautions, especially for
use in and near water.
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