Saltcedar (also known as tamarisk, or Tamarix spp.) is an invasive weed from Asia that has caused serious problems for agriculture, wildlife, and water managers in the American Southwest.

Saltcedar occupies an estimated 1.6 - 2 million acres of wetland and riparian habitat throughout western North America.

Given its abundance and negative impact on native ecosystems, saltcedar is considered the worse invasive species in the western United States.

Saltcedar uses water that would otherwise be used by native vegitation, wildlife, agriculture, or people. Due to the abundance and distribution of saltcedar, some researchers have estimated these plants together consume as much water as major West Coast cities.

Field studies show the distribution and survival of cottonwood trees is especially sensitive to drought (climate change) and invasive saltcedar. In Arizona, an estimated 20% of the cottonwoods died during the 2002 drought. The interaction of drought and invasive saltcedar brought cottonwood mortality to nearly 100% in some areas.

If thickets of saltcedar continue to proliferate there could be additional lasting and irreversible negative consequences for wildlife, agriculture, and people.

Our Mission Statement

We are an environmental group committed to solving problems associated with saltcedar infestation across the American Southwest. We facilitate cooperation among private landowners, government agencies, and academic institutions in an effort to abate negative consequences of invasive saltcedar.

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