March 27, 2003

 

Saltcedar Informational Meeting to be Held April 7

The North Dakota State University Extension Service will hold an informational meeting on the noxious weed, saltcedar, Monday, April 7, at the Emmons County Courthouse in Linton at 1:15 p.m. The meeting is to inform residents of the region of the potential threat of saltcedar to the county’s recreational and range lands.

Saltcedar, also called tamarisk, is a nonnative plant introduced to the United States in the 1800s. It has been used for erosion control as well as in shelterbelts and as an ornamental. Similar to other introduced plants such as leafy spurge, natural pests that reduce saltcedar infestations in its native range are not present in the United States.

Ken Eraas, North Dakota Department of Agriculture noxious weed specialist, will discuss the growth pattern, spread and economic and environmental impact of saltcedar in North Dakota and other states. Jim Hennessy, Mountrail County Extension Agent/Montrail County Weed Control Officer, will present information on scouting and control measures taken in Mountrail County during 2002.

Saltcedar has been located along the shore of Lake Sakakawea and also along a slough located in southeastern North Dakota. This weed thrives in wet areas such as shores of lakes, rivers and ponds.

Saltcedar possesses traits that can be detrimental to recreational as well as range lands. Saltcedar is capable of using two hundred gallons of water a day. This level of water use pulls soil salts into the plant, causing the soil to become saline. The change in the soil allows saltcedar to kill all other plants in the area.

For more information on the meeting or questions on saltcedar contact Mike Hanson, Emmons County Extension Agent, at (701) 254-4811 or mhanson@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

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Source: Mike Hanson, (701) 254-4811, mhanson@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Deana Oe, (701) 231-8371, deana.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

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