NRCS−Montana−Technical Note−Invasive Species−MT-30 (Attachment A) 1 

United States Department of Agriculture

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Invasive Species Technical Note No. MT-30 (Attachment A)

December 2010

Attachment A

Re-Vegetation Practices and Species for Russian Olive and Saltcedar Management 

Successful establishment of woody species in riparian areas is dependent on many variables 

including the location of planting (within the landscape and site-specific scale), hydrology, species 

selection, site preparation, care and planting of stock, herbivory, competition control and the 

landowners’ objectives. Controlling plant competition, considering specific site conditions and 

herbivorous animals is essential for a successful planting. 

The two practices that may be considered for use when establishing trees and shrubs after Russian 

olive/saltcedar removal will be either Tree/Shrub Establishment (Code 612) or Riparian Forest 

Buffer (Code 391). Tree/Shrub Establishment can be used in the riparian area but Riparian Forest 

Buffer will not be used outside the Riparian area. Consider using “native” vegetation when revegetating after Russian olive and saltcedar are removed and/or controlled. 

Woody plantings will be protected from livestock and wildlife browsing:

1. Block planting is the preferred method in riparian areas to establish woody vegetation. 

2. Where deer and/or elk are present, protect plantings with a Wildlife Exclusion Fence (Code 

382). 

3. Rodent protectors will be used on shrub and tree stock to prevent animal damage (i.e., girdling). 

4. Fabric mulch will be used for weed control. When block planting, the method that gives longterm positive results with the least maintenance is to apply a solid fabric barrier with a fence 

around the entire block. 

5. Design planting locations so that each planted area can be protected with fabric and wildlife 

exclusion fence to minimize maintenance. 

a. Plant trees and shrubs in blocks following the spacing requirements for each species listed in 

the specification. 

b. Space blocks throughout the cut-over area in densities to meet objectives. 

c. Focus on planting species not expected from natural regeneration. 

d. Maintain competition control of both herbaceous and browsing animals until heights of 

planted trees exceed browse height of animals or as long as the practice life (10 years for 

Fence) whichever is greater. 

Herbaceous plantings will use Range Planting (Code 550) or Riparian Herbaceous Cover (Code 

390) depending on the site-specific circumstances. Tame herbaceous plants, will be allowed in 

grazing and hay pastures being treated for Russian olive and/or saltcedar infestations. In these 

cases, Pasture and Hay Planting (Code 512) will be used. 

Herbaceous seed mixes will consist of a minimum of three species, two of which will be grass 

species, and will be composed of no more than 20% PLS slender wheatgrass and no more than 10% 

PLS forbs of the seed mix. 
NRCS−Montana−Technical Note−Invasive Species−MT-30 (Attachment A) 2 

Russian Olive – Saltcedar Post-Control Treatment Re-Vegetation Species List

Habitat Types1/

Common Name Scientific Name WoodyDraw Shrub /

Herbaceous

Recent (Active)

Riparian/Floodplain

Alkaline

Plains cottonwood Populus deltoids X X

Narrowleaf 

cottonwood Populus angustifolia X 

Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica X X

Boxelder maple Acer negundo X

Sandbar willow Salix exigua X X

Native willows Salix spp. X X 

Rocky mountain 

juniper Juniperus scopulorum X X X 

Common 

chokecherry Prunus virginiana X 

American plum Prunus americana X

Redosier dogwood Cornus stolonifera X X

Woods rose Rosa woodsii X X X

Golden current Ribes aureum X X

Western 

snowberry

Symphoricarpos 

occidentalis X X X 

Common 

snowberry Symphoricarpos albus X X 

Silver 

buffaloberry Shepherdia argentea X X 

Silverberry2/ Eleagnus commutata X X

Serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia X

Black hawthorne Crataegus douglasii X X

Basin wildrye Leymus cinereus X X X

Slender 

wheatgrass Elymus trachycaulus X X X 

Western 

wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii X X X X 

Thickspike 

wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus X 

Streambank 

wheatgrass Pascopyrus smithiis X 

Green needlegrass Nassella viridula X X

Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides X

Blue flax Linum perenne var. lewisii X

White 

prairieclover Dalea candida X X X 

Purple 

prairieclover Calea purpurea X X 

Common 

gaillardia Gaillardia aristata X 

Maximillian 

sunflower Helianthus maximiliani X X X 

1/ Habitat types are from Hansen et al. 1995 

2/ Approved sites
NRCS−Montana−Technical Note−Invasive Species−MT-30 (Attachment A) 3 

References

Hansen, P.L., R.D. Phister, K. Boggs, B.J. Cook, J. Joy, and D.K. Hinckley. 1995. 

Classification and management of Montana’s riparian and wetland sites. Montana Forest and 

Conservation Experiment Station School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT. 

Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. 646 pages. 

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Field Office Technical Guide. Section

IV, Conservation Practices 382, 390, 391, 512, 550, and 612.