Tamarix aphylla , an evergreen tree, does not sexually reproduce in this climate, so it is not seriously invasive. However, the salt cedar species of concern in Washington state was recently determined to be T. ramosissima . Other ornamental Tamarix species do not appear to escape into the wild in Washington. Saltcedar is also an enormous water consumer. Saltcedar s high water consumption further stresses native vegetation by lowering ground water levels and can also dry up springs and marshy areas.
Infestations also have detrimental impacts on wildlife.
Saltcedar seeds have almost no protein and are too small to be eaten by most animals. Studies indicate that saltcedar is not favored bird habitat. Saltcedar trees are beautiful ornamental landscaping plants. The genus Tamarix is native to a zone stretching from southern Europe and north Africa through the Middle East and south Asia to China and Japan. Habitat Seedlings establish most frequently in soils that are seasonally saturated at the surface.