Declared plant in Western Australia Athel pine (Tamarix aphylla)

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See also: Control Method | Weed description | Declared plants list

(Locality Code: C= City; S=Shire; T=Town)

Category: P1

Location: for the whole of the State

Control Codes and Landholder Obligations

Recommended herbicides

:

·         Seedlings/juveniles and semi mature Triclopyr Fluroxypyr ·         Isolated mature trees Cut stump – triclopyr Large mature trees in dense stands Mechanical removal is the most economical form of control. These areas need follow up control in about 6 months.  The foliage treatments of triclopyr or fluroxypyr are recommended and best applied from 4-WD vehicles fitted with spray equipment.

Herbicide	:	Fluroxypyr (various trade names - AVPMA site)
Active ingredient and Group	:	600 g/L triclopyr (Group I)
Rate of product per 10L	:	100 mL in distillate
More information	:	Treated as an all over foliage spray

Family      :    Tamaricaceae

Form         :     Tree - Perennial

Status      :     Present in WA

Athel pine, also known as tamarisk or tamarix, is a tree to 15m in height, it is not a true pine tree.  It is a Weed of National Significance.  Young trees have a light grey trunk, mature trees have a dark grey or black trunk and can reach 1m in diameter.  The main infestation in WA is in the bed of the Gascoyne River at Carnarvon.  It spreads by seed and vegetatively from broken branches that become buried. 

Leaves     :    The dull green or greyish leaves are similar to pine needles. 

Flowers    :    The small pinkish-white flowers occur in sprays on the ends of the previous year’s branches. 

Seeds       :    After flowering, athel pine produces many small, bell-shaped fruits, each containing many seeds.  The seeds are roughly cylindrical, each having a small 'parachute' of hairs to aid dispersal by the wind.