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As the fiscal agent for
the Lower Rio Grande Salt Cedar Control Project (LRGSCCP),
the Socorro Soil and Water Conservation District controls salt
cedar and other noxious species in Socorro, Sierra, and Dona Ana
counties. We have the capability to remove as little as one tree
or as much as several acres through mechanical and/or chemical
treatments.
Why remove salt cedar? Salt Cedar is a perennial,
invasive species that is native to the Mediterranean, China and
Southeast Asia. In these areas, salt cedar has natural enemies
that limit its growth potential. These enemies are not present
in New Mexico, and the tree thrives. It literally deposits salt
into the soil through its leaves, making the soil sterile to all
but the most salt tolerant species, which typically include
Russian Olive and Siberian Elm. Beneficial native species such
as Cottonwood and Black Willow are unable to grow in these
saline soils, greatly limiting the nesting habitat for the
Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, an endangered species.
Furthermore, estimates place water use by salt cedar as high as
7.7 acre feet per year. That’s 2.8 MILLION gallons! Much of this
water is simply taken up by the roots and evapotranspirated into
the air, effectively wasting the precious resource.
Salt cedar control is further complicated by the plants
aggressive reproductive capability. Each tree can produce up to
500,000 seeds per year. The tree is also rhizomic, meaning that
spreading roots can sprout new trees as they grow laterally, up
to 50 feet from the parent tree.
Removing salt cedar is not a one step process, nor is it
inexpensive. Simply cutting down the tree is not only
ineffective, it results in re-sprouts that can grow as much as
12-15 feet per year. The least expensive initial treatment
method for salt cedar control is to use herbicide. Imazypyr is
the most commonly used active ingredient, and although extremely
effective, can take up to four full growing seasons to fully
kill the tree. Mechanical methods involve physically removing
the root ball of the tree from the ground through various
methods, which is also highly effective. However, no single
treatment will kill salt cedar. It requires vigilance over time
to achieve success. |
