Image of Athel tamarisk

Description:

naturalized trees in deep sandy soils along the river. Easily identified by the multitude of long, fine, drooping, jointed branchlets that resemble pine needles. Actual leaves are reduced to tiny (1-2mm) scales sheathing these green stems. Least invasive of the noxious 'Saltcedars' that plague riparian habitats across the west.