T. ramosissima, Tamarix aralensis, and T. chinensis can be distinguished from other members of Tamarix by their sessile leaves, pentamerous flowers, and hololophic androecial discs. T. chinensis and T. ramosissima can be distinguished from T. aralensis by its caducous petals at the time of seed maturation.T. ramosissima and T. chinensis may be distinguished by a few microscopic floral characters especially where the filament is inserted into the nectary disk and edaphic affinities. T. ramosissima has an eroded denticulate, obovate petals, and is halophilous, while T. chinensis has entire sepals, elliptic-ovate petals, and prefers non-halophilous soils (Gaskin & Scheel, 2003)

Many species of native birds, including the endangered and federally protected south-western willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), are able to exploit T. ramosissima for shelter and nesting, especially when some native trees remain (Fleishman et al. 2003). However, it is mostly foliage gleaners and fairly opportunistic species that use it to a substantial extent - cavity nesters like owls and wrens, drillers like woodpeckers and sapsuckers, frugivores, granivores and other specialists rarely occupy tamarisk (Ellis 1995, Shafroth et al. 2005, Hunter 1984, Hunter et al. 1985, Cohan et al. 1979, Lovich and DeGouvenain 1998, Dudley and DeLoach 2005) and usage by insectivores declines greatly as vegetation dominance by tamarisk increases (Yard et al. 2004).

The leaf litter and foliage produced by T. ramosissima is flammable and encourages the spread of wildfires (Busch 1995; Brotherson & Field 1987; Dudley et al 2000). Native vegetation and wildlife is destroyed in these fires, while T. ramosissima seedlings are able to increase their spread. This is due to their ability to re-sprout more successfully than native plants following fire (Huntert et al 1988; Busch 1995; Ellis 2001; Dudley et al 2000).

T. ramosissima is capable of utilizing saline groundwater by excreting excess salts through glands in the leaves causing an increase in surface soil salinity. This increase, combined with dense canopy of saltcedar plants and higher likelihood of fires within stands of saltcedar, results in the elimination of native riparian plants (APHIS, 2000).
T. ramosissima is also known to transpire large amounts of groundwater, which dessicates soils and reduces the water table. Its transpiration rate is similar to native plants on a per-leaf basis but it maintains a larger leaf area per ground area, and therefore uses more water in total (Sala et al 1996; Dahm et al 2002; Shafroth et al 2005; Cleverly et al 2002). Because T. ramosissima can take up water from non-saturated soils, it has an added advantage in outcompeting native vegetaion (Dudley, pers. comm.).
T. ramosissima posseses many physiological adaptations that allow it to replace the native tree species, especially along human-altered river stretches. These include: high seed production, rapid germination and seedling establishment, high growth rates, high ET rates, drought tolerance, extreme salt tolerance, flood tolerance, the ability to resprout after fire, and high leaf area index (LAI) allowing it to establish quickly and deplete water-tables at the expense of native species These advantages appear to be so overwhelming that, once it becomes established, eradication of it by human intervention is difficult but necessary to restore riparian corridors (Glen & Nagler, 2005).

Managed flooding can effectively kill T. ramosissima on a long-term basis. Repeated flooding is necessary to kill saltcedar seedlings that are rapidly established from windborne seeds. Established saltcedar plants can tolerate flooding for up to 3 months. Conditions suitable for controlled flooding exist in relatively small areas such as highly managed wildlife refuges (APHIS, 2003).

Chemical: Aerial application of the herbicide imazapyr, alone or in combination with glyphosate, is effective and practical for controlling T. ramosissima over thousands of hectares, particularly in dense stands where little or no native vegetation is present. Several field trials have produced control rates of > 90% after one or two years (Carpenter 2003).

On smaller sites the cut stump method is successful when triclopyr herbicides are also used. Basal bark applications of Garlon4 were very effective on plants with a basal diameter of less than 4 inches. Burning, followed by herbicide application to the resprouts, also produced excellent results, although this method is not appropriate when T. ramosissima exists as a component of native plant communities (Carpenter 2003). The use of triclopyr (Garlon4 or Remedy) mixed with oil and applied as a basal bark or cut stump treatment has been used with great success on scattered infestations, with no resprouting occurring. The basal bark treatment involves applying the herbicide mixture to the lower 18 inches of the plant clear to the ground.

Herbicides used at aquatic sites include Arsenal and Habitat. These are very effective as foliar treatments, but are not selective and must be used with care. Around 30% of tamarisk may resprout after three years when using these herbicides (Baker, 2005. pers. comm.).

Biological: Cattle (and probably goats) will eat T. ramosissima.
A biocontrol agent, the saltcedar leaf beetle (Diorhabda elongate), has been released in nine states (California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Texas), excluding those areas where the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus is nesting in tamarisk (Dudley et al. 2001, DeLoach et al. 2004).

The Athel Pine National Best Practice Management Manual brings together the best management practices available to date on control options for athel pine (T. aphylla), tamarisk (T. ramosissima) and smallflower tamarisk (T. parviflora). It also illustrates successful control programs with case studies that demonstrate how these weeds are managed effectively in Australia. Included are pointers to identify the Tamarix species you are dealing with as each of them are managed using different strategies. The manual includes a 'Decision Support Tree for Tamarix control' to develop a control program for athel pine, tamarisk or smallflower tamarisk based on the type of infestation you have to treat and the options available to you.