Salt cedar, also known as tamarisk, is a unique and attractive ornamental tree that can thrive in challenging growing conditions. With its graceful, feathery foliage and showy summer blooms, salt cedar makes a striking addition to landscapes in arid climates. Here is some key information on where you can purchase salt cedar trees and how to select, plant, and care for them.
Overview of Salt Cedar Trees
Salt cedar refers to a few species of deciduous trees and shrubs in the genus Tamarix They are native to arid regions of Asia and the Mediterranean. The most popular ornamental species are Tamarix ramosissima and Tamarix chinensis
Salt cedar trees have slender, upright branching habits that give them a soft, plume-like appearance. New stems are smooth and reddish-brown. The foliage consists of tiny blue-green needle-like leaves. From early summer to fall, salt cedars produce airy clouds of tiny pink or white flowers that attract butterflies. Plants can reach 15-25 feet tall with a spread of 10-20 feet wide.
These trees thrive in full sun and hot, dry conditions. They are extremely drought, heat, salt, and alkali tolerant. Salt cedars make striking accent plants for xeriscapes and coastal gardens. They can also be pruned into large shrubs.
Where to Buy Salt Cedar Trees
Salt cedar trees are sold at some garden centers, but your best selection will be through online mail order nurseries that specialize in ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials. Reputable online sellers to consider include:
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Plant Delights Nursery – Offers Tamarix ramosissima ‘Pink Cascade’ a weeping form of the popular pink-blooming salt cedar.
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Nature Hills Nursery – Sells Tamarix chinensis ‘Summer Glow’, with brighter pink summer flowers.
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Monrovia – Provides the dwarf Tamarix ramosissima ‘Pink Chablis’ that only reaches 8 feet tall.
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Brighter Blooms – Carries the white-flowered Tamarix tetrandra that blooms in spring and fall.
Look for plants grown in #1 (1 gallon) containers or larger. The cost is typically $25-60 per tree depending on container size.
Selecting a Salt Cedar Tree
When choosing a salt cedar for your landscape, consider these factors:
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Mature Size – Select a cultivar like ‘Pink Chablis’ if you need a smaller tree.
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Flower Color – Pick a white-blooming variety like T. tetrandra for something different.
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Growth Habit – Weeping forms like ‘Pink Cascade’ offer unique shapes.
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Hardiness Zone – Make sure the plant is suited to your zone 3-9 location.
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Sun Exposure – Salt cedars need full sun.
Preparing the Planting Site
Salt cedars thrive in lean, sandy soils with excellent drainage. Amend clay soils with compost or gravel to improve drainage before planting. Choose a site with:
- Full sun
- Well-draining alkaline soil
- Shelter from strong winds
- No competition from nearby trees
- Access to irrigation for establishment
When to Plant
Salt cedars can be planted in spring once frosts have passed or in fall 8-10 weeks before the first expected frost. Avoid summer planting.
Planting Instructions
Follow these tips for planting your new salt cedar:
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Dig a hole 2-3x wider than the root ball. Loosen and break up heavy soil in the bottom.
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Set the root ball on firmly packed soil so the top is slightly above ground level.
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Backfill soil and water thoroughly to settle the roots. Apply 2-4″ of mulch around the base without touching the trunk.
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Stake the tree for the first year if needed to prevent wind tipping in loose or sandy soils.
Caring for Salt Cedar Trees
Salt cedars are drought tolerant once established but need regular irrigation for 2-3 years after planting. Follow these care guidelines:
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Water deeply 1-2 times per week during the first two summers. Water mature trees monthly in drought.
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Apply a thin layer of compost around the root zone each spring.
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Prune crossing or damaged branches in late winter. Shape and thin the canopy for air circulation.
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Watch for aphids on new growth which can be controlled by hosing off with water.
With their graceful forms and vibrant bloom colors, salt cedar trees bring beauty and visual interest to hot, dry planting sites. Order one of these special trees this season to enhance your own landscape!
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SALT CEDAR TAMARIX
FAQ
How fast does salt cedar grow?
What is salt cedar good for?
What is special about a tamarisk tree?
Where are salt cedar trees found?
Where does the Salt Cedar tree grow?
Salt cedar, also known as Tamarix sp., is a deciduous shrub/small tree that grows most successfully along riparian zones, that is, along streams and/or lake edges. Its roots extend deeply into the soil and depend on ground water for water supply.
How do you get rid of a salt cedar tree?
Glenn has seen Bureau of Land Management employees putting tires around the roots of a salt cedar and attempting to burn it out, but the plant soon grows back. Herbicide on the roots doesn’t work well either. In the 1990s, the USDA released a “bio beetle” in an attempt to eradicate the plant.
What does a salt cedar tree look like?
A salt cedar tree has smooth, reddish-brown bark, small, bluish-green, scale-like leaves, and tufts of tiny, pink, butterfly-attracting flowers. This woody perennial is known for its ornamental traits and its ability to grow in salty environments, as its common name salt cedar implies.
Does salt cedar shut down a dry spell?
The salt cedar, meanwhile, has a unique ability to shut down and wait out dry spells. Chew feels the backlash against the plant has replaced proper science, which is no longer being used to back up the contention of undue water use and crowding out of other plants and trees.
Do salt cedar leaves taste salty?
Matthew Chew, an assistant research professor at Arizona State University, holds a salt cedar sprig in his mouth. The leaves do taste salty, hence the plant’s name. Audra Arbas Besides, efforts to remove the tamarisk can be more destructive than leaving it alone, Glenn says. First of all, killing it is just plain difficult.
Are humans the real reason the salt cedar is thriving?
The salt cedar is often seen as an un-killable invader. But are humans the real reason this unwanted plant is thriving? By the time the Salt River reaches downtown Phoenix, it is a river in name only. Some scientists think that is why a non-native plant, the salt cedar, is thriving while native flora are suffering. Audra Arbas