Feasibility Report: Salt Cedar Clearing

Prepared for:
Smith Ranch & Deer Lease
Prepared by:
Robin Elkins

Figure 1

November 29, 2017

 Table of Contents
List of Illustrations.3
Executive Summary.......4
Introduction....5
Background / Problem.........5,6,7

Flooding Erosion..6
Fire Hazard...6
Animal Diversity...6,7

Benefits of Clearing7
Scope / Criteria...7
Sources7
Recommendation.7,8

Overview of Alternatives..8,9,10,11

Mechanical Clearing....8
Bulldozer......8
Biological Clearing......8,9,10
Beatles...8,9
Goats...9,10
Chemical Clearing10,11
Aerial Spray...10
Ground Spray.....11

Evaluation of Clearing Methods.12

Mechanical.12
Biological...12
Chemical....12

Conclusion12
Final Recommendation........13
References.....14
Index......15
Notes..16

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 List of Illustrations

Figure 1: Aerial View of Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos..1

Figure 2: Table Comparison for Mechanical Clearing8

Figure 3: Table comparison for Biological Clearing with Beetles9

Figure 4: Table comparison for Biological Clearing with Goats...10

Figure 5: Table comparison for Chemical Clearing with Areal Spray11

Figure 6: Table comparison for Chemical Clearing Weed Program...11

Figure 7: Table comparison for Chemical Clearing with Ground Spray.11

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 Executive Summary

Through a vigorous and thorough research and interview process the conclusion has been drawn
that the best method for salt cedar clearing on the properties owned by Smith Ranch & Deer
Lease is to apply an integrated method that combines the greatest benefits that each section under
comparison has to offer. The recommendation is to wait tell the end of summer 2018 and see
how much spraying the Texas Parks and Wildlife department will do along the banks of the
Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River. The reasoning behind this recommendation comes
from research gathered from peer reviewed articles retrieved via the Tarleton Database and
through interviews conducted with experts and practitioners from various fields effected by salt
cedar. The integrated method combines the Chemical clearing method of aerial spraying
herbicides with a helicopter, with a the follow up weed program and ground spraying. The initial
clearing is in an attempt to allow for new growth which is preferable by the salt cedar eating
beetles. Currently in surrounding counties are implementing this method and the beetles are
making their way down to fisher county, which encompasses the affected areas owned by Smith
Ranch & Deer Lease. The Mechanical method can be used in tandem with ground spraying to
take down small inlets that the government has stated they will not spray. Clearing the land of
slat cedar does not get rid of the trees in one fatal swoop, clearing is an effort to make the
problem more manageable. The beetles like new growth and in relation to young salt cedar
provide the beetles with optimum feeding conditions. It is likely the beetles will be the managing
and in a perfect world a self-sustaining solution to the salt cedar overgrowth problem. The
integrated method combines all the best aspect and while not the cheapest option have been
deemed the most effective option and most applicable to the needs and desires of Smith Ranch &
Deer Lease.

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Introduction
This is a feasibility report on the clearing of salt cedar in the grazing areas known as Home
Place and North Pasture and access points to the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos located
on property owned by Smith Ranch & Deer Lease. It has been a long understood, that the above
mentioned areas of land are in need of salt cedar clearing, however there have been other matters
of importance that have taken priority over brush clearing. The wild fire that ravaged the land in
2012 created numerous setbacks and a false sense of security that the problem of salt cedar had
been resolved by the wildfire. Unfortunately, the fire did not solve the problem. The salt cedar
growth was not effected as badly as other native plants during the wild fire, according to John
Haggard, Hunting Manager for Smith Ranch & Deer Lease and owner and operator of Lost
Creek Outfitters (a company specializing in guided hunts). He made note that the young saplings
of salt cedar were not significantly damaged by the wild fire. This comes as a surprise due to an
interview with Monica E. McGarrity Aquatic Invasive Species Team Leader Inland Fisheries
Division, Habitat Conservation Branch of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, she discussed
the dangers of Salt Cedar as being a highly flammable plant. The survival of the saplings mixed
with the loss of any natural competition from other native plants and animals in the area allowed
for salt cedar to develop into dense thickets that thrive with minimal challenge from previously
existing vegetation. The aim of this feasibility report is to provide Smith Ranch & Deer Lease
with enough information so that they may come to a definitive decision on a clearing a method
for salt cedar, and more importantly an effective long term solution to the issue of salt cedar on
the effected properties.

Background/Problem
The Home Place and North Pasture properties have steadily become overgrown with salt
cedar. The need to initiate a safe and effective clearing method can no longer be ignored due to
the abundant repopulation of salt cedar trees from what were once sparse bushes but that now
have developed into dense thickets. After the 2012 wild fire, the salt cedars repopulated quicker
than other vegetation and now pose to take over completely. Salt cedar are known for the unique
methods of invading and taking over an area. Invasions typically occur in bare, moist exposed
areas (Di Tomaso J.M., 1998) much like the river banks along the Double Mountain Fork of the
Brazos. Salt cedar is initially associated with mesquite, cottonwoods, and willows and appear to
be a member of these naturally woody plants family, however given time this naughty sibling
replaces the other members (Di Tomaso J.M., 1998).

Once established, periodic burning, clearing and flooding have allowed salt cedar communities
to remain young and to form nearly impenetrable thickets (di Tomaso J.M., 1998). The young
dense thickets that currently plague the area can be seen as a result of the wild fire that ravaged
the area in 2012, and previous unsuccessful management methods (i.e. taking a chainsaw along
the riverbanks). Research has shown that the invasive salt cedar can be detrimental to the local
wild life and be particularly harmful to grazing animals in the area affected by the over growth.

Salt Cedar was first brought to North America in the 1800s from the southern Europe and
eastern Mediterranean regions and during the early years of introduction, slat cedar was planted
to create wind breaks, provide shade, stabilize stream banks, or grown as ornamental shrubs and

5
trees. It was not long before Many of the species escaped cultivation and by the 1920s invaded
about 400,000 acres of land in the southwestern United States (Di Tomaso J. M., (1998). By
1987, it was estimated to have increased to at least 600,000 acres. Up to the twentieth century,
slat cedar was considered to have a positive effect on the native environment. In addition to salt
cedar roots stabilizing the ground, the foliage provided shade for domesticated animals, woody
stems were an important source of firewood, and the showy white or pink flowers were desired
as ornamental landscaping (Di Tomaso J. M., (1998). However, in time it became apparent that
all the benefits are actually some of the greatest detriments of salt cedar. Today salt cedar is still
a highly invasive plant and infests more than 2 million acres of land in the southwestern United
States (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Aquatic Invasive). Infestations have caused
significant changes in flooding and erosion patterns, fire frequency, and both plant and animal
diversity. These problems are discussed in greater detail below.

Flooding and Erosion

The salt cedar tree does not use more water individually when compared to other trees in the area
such as cotton woods and mesquites (Lamberton M. L., (2011), despite heavy infestations
significantly altering the hydrology of an area. However, since slat cedar is a more aggressive
plant than the cotton wood or mesquite, it tends to heavily infest an area and the hire number of
trees use greater amounts of water. This aggressive invasion, effectively chokes out native plants
and takes away water from animals. In addition, when stream channels are stabilized they
become more immobile and inflexible which progressively restricts channel birth. Narrowing of
streams, increases the rate of water flow and the potential and severity of subsequent flooding.
According to the lifelong residents of Rotan (A town 2 miles south of the properties) the river
would rise and flood the town, however this is no longer a significant problem due to a dam that
was built miles up the river that provides a steady stream of water throughout the year but no
longer allows for the once or twice a year flood. Which in itself is a problem all its own for
another report.

Fire Hazard

Salt cedar is a fire-adapted species with more efficient fire recovery mechanisms than nearly all
other native riparian species. It has become common belief that salt cedar might have developed
adaptive characteristics that enhance the flammability of the communities where they grow. In an
interview with Monica E. McGarrity Aquatic Invasive Species Team Leader Inland Fisheries
Division, Habitat Conservation Branch of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department expressed the
concerns that salt cedar would not only increase the likelihood of a wild fire but drastically increase
a fires mobility. Normally rivers and streams act as natural fire blockades, however areas that are
heavily infested with salt cedar, such as along river banks, increase the fires ability to jump a
river. Rivers, the once natural line of defense against a wild fire, when infested with slat cedar
become a speed boost for the fire.

Animal Diversity

In an interview with Donnie Gruban Sr. of Gruban Farms LLC he discussed how salt cedar
rarely provides food or shelter necessary for the survival of wildlife, state that cows wont touch

6
it, and most animals are negatively affected by the tree. It will come in and take over an area that
previously housed vegetation that was a benefit to the wild and domestic animals. In fact, in
areas along the Colorado River where salt cedar was cleared and replaced with native plants, the
diversity of both birds and rodents significantly increased (Di Tomaso J. M., 1998). The rapid
overgrowth of slat cedar in the southwest can be attributed to several factors related to its growth
habit, reproduction, water usage, and the blooms that produce small, numerous, and tufted seeds
that can be carried long distances by wind or water.

Benefits of Clearing
The solution to this problem is to initiate an effort to clear the abundant overgrowth. In addition
to the above mentioned risks of an overgrowth of salt cedar several experts in the field of
ranching and invasive plant growth have discussed that any brush clearing is beneficial to a
ranch. On the most basic level, it opens up the area for grass to grow, providing more food for
livestock. Clearing also opens up water flow for little streams and springs to flow into the river.
Salt cedar clearing will provide a chance for native plants to reestablish a presence in the area.
The clearing will also reduce the spread of wildfires. Salt cedar allows for wildfires to jump
across rivers which are normally fire blockades.

Scope/Criteria
This report will cover the pros and cons of Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical clearing
methods of salt cedar. The criteria for comparison included: effects on environment, cost of each
method, long term effectiveness of method, accessibility and practicality of for each method.

Sources
The sources reviewed for this report included peer reviewed articles found by accessing the
Tarleton State University database. Articles ranged from publications by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife depicting the many dangers of salt cedar, to publications defending the trees place in the
world, in an attempt to provide a balanced and arcuate recommendation to the problem.
Interviews were conducted over the phone and in person with Monica E. McGarrity Aquatic
Invasive Species Team Leader for Inland Fisheries Division of the Habitat Conservation Branch
of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Donnie Gruban of Gruban Farms LLC, Donnie Carl
Gruban of J&J Farms LLC, and John Haggard, Owner and Operator of Lost Creek Outfitters
LLC. The research and interviews were undertaken to achieve the best possible recommendation
for Smith Ranch & Deer Leases problem of salt cedar overgrowth and to confirm there is indeed
a problem with the salt cedar in the area.

Recommendation
It is my professional recommendation that Smith Ranch & Deer Lease implement a clearing
initiative to get ahead of the developing salt cedar problem. The findings suggest, most detrimental
is salt cedars tendency to form dense thickets that displace native plants along rivers, alter the
shape and function of streams, reduce water availability, and provide a way for firs to jump river
banks. As a result, habitat for fish, wildlife such as turkeys and quail, and even for livestock grazing

7
is reduced. The dense strands of relatively young plants across the land have a negative effect on
river flow and the problem is getting worse. In past years the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos
would flood once or twice a year helping wash away any young saplings growing on the banks or
dry spots in the river bed. However, there is a dam that has been built up the river that provides a
steady stream of water year around. This dam provides optimal growing conditions for salt cedar.
It has been recommended by Donnie Gruban Sr., Donnie Carl Gruban, John Haggard, and Monica
E. McGarrity that up to 500 acres along river needs clearing.

Overview of Alternatives
The options considered for clearing were Mechanical, Biological and Chemical clearing.

Mechanical Clearing
Mechanical clearing methods researched where the use of a bulldozer in uprooting trees.

Bulldozer

Methods researched were clearing done with bulldozers, which were used to manually uproot
salt cedar trees. Research and interviews reviled the pros, cons and effectiveness of mechanical
clearing with a bulldozer. Going in with a bulldozer and grubbing does not work well. In an
interview with Monica E. McGarrity, she discussed the extensive collateral damage that is done
to the land and surrounding vegetation from using a bulldozer too clear an area. However, that
was not the main reason she does not recommended a mechanical clearing method. While going
in and uprooting trees may provide the quickest visual solution to the problem of salt cedar, the
roots actually remain intact and the trees sprout back by the next session. In an interview with
Donnie Carl Gruban of J&J Farms, he discusses the high price of mechanical clearing in relation
to the short lived effectiveness of mechanical clearing. The Salt Cedar tree is not like a mesquite
tree, the whip like structure of the salt cedar makes it harder to take down than other trees. A
bulldozer will only cut the tree off at the top of the ground and does not work well on the root
system that is burrowed deep in the soil, resulting in a short term ineffective solution to a long
term problem
Ground Clearing Cost Acre Total
with Bulldozer
$100 1 $100
$100 250 $25,000
$100 500 $50,000
Figure 2

Biological Clearing
Biological clearing methods researched where salt cedar consuming beetles and goats.

Beetles

In interviews with Monica E. McGarrity and members of the Fisher County Land Conservatory,
it was discovered that there is an existing presence of biological control beetles in nearby
Stonewall and Kent county. The Texas Parks and Wild Life department in cooperation with

8
Texas A&M University introduced the beetles several years ago. The work was undertaken not
as an attempt to eradicate the trees but in attempt to control the current spread of the tree and to
loosen the grip salt cedar held on the river. It was explained that large water draws are treated but
smaller creeks are left out in the government beetle control program. The beetles work by eating
the leaves off trees and preventing the salt cedar from using photosynthesis. The Beetles like new
growth which would make them a vital part of an integrated program that combines several
clearing methods. If the older trees are cleared the beetles could be used to keep younger trees at
bay. However, the beetles do have a down side. They are susceptible to harsh and sudden
fluctuation in weather.

An article from Ranch and Rural Living Magazine discusses the different types of beetles being
used to treat salt cedar (Kay, 2006). The articles discuss an experiment by Texas Agricultural
Experiment Station researchers and the use of beetles from Uzbekistan and their tendency to be
more prolific salt cedar eaters than beetles currently being used. The Uzbekistan beetles being
released by the Experiment Stations entomology department are the same species as those
released on the salt cedar stands near lake Meredith (Kay, 2006). Lake Meredith is located in
Sanford, Texas, about 30 miles northeast of Amarillo. At the Meredith site, the beetles released,
made it through winters and summers successfully. However, because of an early warm up
followed by a cold spell, they seem to be less prolific in following summers and have not
exploded in population numbers, but they did survive the weather fluctuation (Kay, 2006).

The Uzbekistan beetles have not been approved by animal and plant health inspection services
for open release so they currently remain in enclosed tents. However, they provide promising
results and could soon be implemented in open release programs. These beetles are more
resilient to the cold weather than beetles used in the past that have been released in the counties
surrounding the North Pasture and Home Place properties.

Beetle research is still in the early stages of development and needs to have more long-term
research done before there is a definitive answer to which species of beetle should be used in this
unique problem facing land owners. However, they remain in the running as a potential part of
the equation to solve the problem of salt cedars.
Beetles Cost Acre Total
Dependent on 1
Government and 250
University involvement 500
Figure 3

Goats

In a study published by the Society for Range Management goats are discussed as a possible
solution to the ongoing problem of salt cedar (Garcia, Munioz, Owns, Scott, 2016). The results
of the study indicated that goats could be a potential biological agent to reduce the spread of salt
cedar (Garcia, Munioz, Owns, Scott, 2016). The goats would be most effective in controlling salt
cedar before the plant reached a mature size. When asked about the possibility of using goats to
clear salt cedar Monica E. McGarrity did not seem to think they held much promise. She believes
goats would eventually just eat up the rest of the vegetation as well as the salt cedar. Donnie Carl

9
Gruban of J&J Farms LLC does not see the goats as a viable option, at this time. He had not
heard of any specific goats that have been bread to eat salt cedar trees. However, he did say he
could see a lot of promise in using goats in the future but not at this point in the clearing process.

Goats Age Goats Total

5 Months 1 $400
Figure 4

Chemical Clearing
Chemical clearing methods researched were aerial spraying and the spraying of individual trees
from the ground.

Aerial Spray

In an interview with Monica McGarrity, she discussed that before contracting someone to spray
an individual has to notify and apply with the Parks and Wild Life Department to have aerial
spray be done on any property. Individuals have to use friendly herbicides that are non-toxic to
the water or animals. The chemicals do not require special permits or license to buy, anyone can
walk into a store that sells the herbicide and purchase them. For spraying large areas, Ms.
McGarrity recommends using a helicopter for the most accurate disbursement of the herbicides.
She also discussed that property owners must be prepared to have a twenty-foot buffer in areas
being sprayed due to potential drift caused by wind. After aerial spraying, it is recommended to
go back in with all-terrain vehicles and spray the areas that a helicopter was unable to reach
effectively. In 2016, the Texas Parks and Wildlife department treated with herbicide, 3,500 acres
along 112 miles of the North and South Forks of the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos river
to help manage the negative impact of invasive slat cedar (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department:
Aquatic Invasive).

In an interview with Donnie Gruban Sr. of Gruban Farms LLC he recommended spraying 500
acres collectively from the North Pasture and Home Place from a helicopter. Donnie Gruban
Sr. has leased property form Smith Ranch & Deer Lease in the past and has always provided his
unbiased opinion on matters concerning the land. Personal testimonies of the effectiveness of
aerial spraying can be seen through Donnie Carl Gruban of J&J Farms LLC who has sprayed
areas of his land that were infested with salt cedar. He sprayed form a helicopter and went back
with what he calls a weed control program which is spraying for weeds a few weeks after
spraying with aerial herbicides. This keeps the salt cedars and weeds from being the first plants
to grow back and with repeated weed programs implemented each year he has maintained lush
grass land for his cows. The spray is quick in effectiveness; results are seen within three weeks
according to Mr. Carl Gruban. As mentioned above the government has gotten involved in
spraying areas close to the property owned by Smith Ranch & Deer Lease. Where the
government sprayed was along the edge of the river but in low spots they did not spray and now
the salt cedar is starting to creep back into the river. This only further emphasizes the need for
follow up ground spraying and weed control programs.

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 Areal Spray Cost Acre Total
$30 1 $30
$30 250 $7,500
$30 500 $15,000
Figure 5

Weed program Cost Acre Total

$6 1 $6
$6 250 $1,500
$6 500 $3,000
Figure 6

Ground Spray

Donnie Carl Gruban recommends that any aerial spray be followed up by a ground weed
program if you do not do a follow up spray the trees will just come back. As well he discusses
the need to follow up behind any aerial spraying for salt cedar with ground spraying. He
discusses that while being very accurate, aerial spraying cannot reach all effected parts of a river.
He discussed how government programs in the past that have sprayed along the banks of the
Double Mountain Fork of the Brazes did not spray in any of the smaller creeks or springs that
feed into the river. These are important veins of water for the river and it would be
counterproductive to have the banks of the river sprayed without spraying the banks of the
smaller creeks and springs. The trees that straddle the smaller creeks and springs while not only
providing additional water for the river, if left unaddressed could send salt cedar seeds right back
into the river after aerial spraying had been implemented. Donnie Carl Gruban expressed his
disappointment in the government program that sprayed several years ago because they did not
do a follow up weed program, and the land owners did not take it upon themselves to spray from
the ground where the helicopters could not reach. As a result, the areas sprayed are now full of
young thriving salt cedar trees.

When asked about the effectiveness of government programs in the past Monica E. McGarrity
while not as skeptical of previous spraying attempts as Mr. Carl Gruban did admit to the benefits
of going in after a government spray and spraying from the ground any areas that may have been
missed.

Ground Spray Cost Acre Total

$24 1 $24
$24 250 $6,000
$24 500 $12,000
Figure 7

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Evaluation of Clearing Methods
Mechanical

The Mechanical clearing method shows promise for an area that is not heavily infested with salt
cedar. The quick fix and short time span needed to implement this option is tempting but the cost
and effectiveness is simply too high to be practical. It is impractical to take this option seriously
due to the number of acers that are in need of clearing.

Biological

The biological clearing methods provides the attractive idea of being able to let loose the goats or
beetles and sit back and let them handle the problem. The beetles while still in the early stages of
development hold the most promise out of the two biological clearing methods. The beetles also
show the most potential of effectiveness out of the three clearing methods considered. They are a
onetime fee that have the potential to work at clearing for years into the future. This is a highly
desirable factor considering that all parties interviewed discussed how there is no one permanent
method for clearing slat cedar. If you effectively get rid of an infested area there will always be
seeds being blown in by the wind or carried in from upstream this is a particularly troublesome
characteristic of the salt cedar seed (Clements, Harmon, Young , 2004). However, pricing on
beetles is hard to nail down. There are many government programs with long wait lists that will
let loose beetles for free, and many universities willing to test beetles on properties but the
effects of the university beetles are unknown. However due to the success of beetles in
surrounding counties it would be ill-advised to not consider them as part of an integrated method
for dealing with salt cedar.

Chemical

Chemical clearing meets most of the requirements for the clearing method needed at the Smith
Ranch & Deer Lease properties. The chemical clearing method of aerial spraying when coupled
with a follow up weed program while not the cheapest option upon evaluation is the most
effective option. Walking the fine line between environment, cost and effectiveness.

Conclusion
After in depth analysis of the options for clearing salt cedar I would like to make the
recommendation for an integrated clearing method. The integrated clearing method full fills the
highest number of requirements and aspects of resolving the issue of salt cedar overgrowth. Salt
cedar has been a long standing thorn in the side of Smith Ranch & Deer Lease. It is in this
authors opinion that while the tree does provide some shade and is aesthetically pleasing this
does not justify the trees place on the propriety and the benefits from clearing the land and the
dangers associated with slat cedar far outweigh the few benefits the tree provides the land. In
consideration of the cost, all parties interviewed agreed that any brush clearing done by a land
owner can be considered for a tax right off.

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Final Recommendation
After considering the various methods of clearing it has been determined that the integrated
method for clearing is the best option for Smith Ranch & Deer Lease. This option comes highly
recommended by various experts in the field of Ranching, Hunting, and Government agencies
delegated for dealing with the invasive plants. The integrated method will consist of the aerial
spraying method combined with a weed program, ground spraying and implementation of salt
cedar eating beetles. However, before committing to the integrated clearing method I highly
recommend waiting tell after the summer of 2018 to see how much of the property the Texas
Parks and Wild Life department sprays along the banks of the Double Mountain Fork of the
Brazos. Monica E. McGarrity who is the head of the projects to clear along the banks personally
recommended that we wait due to the possibility of government spraying in 2018. After a total
acreage of sprayed land is calculated I recommend that we employ the services of Donnie Carl
Gruban for spraying herbicides from a helicopter. He has over 10 years of experience in crop
dusting and spraying salt cedar, as well as leased from Smith Ranch and Deer Lease in the past.
Smith Ranch & Deer Lease can take my recommendation as to Donnie Carl Grubans character
in tandem to his long standing relationship with the company. I will continue to contact
universities and government programs to get Smith Ranch & Deer Lease on any waitlists needed
for salt cedar beetles and by the winter of 2018 the North Pasture and Home Place will be
treated for salt cedar and well on its way to becoming even more competitive as ranch and
hunting property as well as safer in consideration of wildfires and river flooding. The integrated
method will build upon longstanding relationships, help create new relationships with
universities and government departments as well as improve the functionality of the ranch and
open up possibilities for the expansion of operations.

13
 References

Asgaard Farm & Dairy. Goat Kid Pricing Asgaard Farm & Dairy, Asgaard Farm & Dairy,
www.asgaardfarm.com/goat-kid-pricing

Clements C. D., Harmon D., Young J. A., (2004). Germination of seeds of Tamarix Ramosisima.
Journal of Range Management. 57(5) 475-481. Retrieved from Tarleton Database.

Donnie Carl Gruban, Owner and operator of J&J Farms LLC, personal communication, October
11, 2017

Donnie Gruban Sr., Owner and operator of Gruban Farms LLC, personal communication,
October 11, 2017

Di Tomaso J. M., (1998). Impact, Biology, and Ecology of Saltcedar (Tmarix spp.) in the
Southwestern United States. Weed Technology. Vol. 12. No. 2 326-336. Retrieved from
Tarleton Database.

Garcia A., Munoz A., Owens C., Scott C., (2016). Consumption of Salt Cedar and Willow
Baccharis by Boer-Cross Goats. Rangeland Ecology & Management. 70(3) 374-379.,
Society for Range Management. Retrieved from Tarleton Database.

John Haggard, Owner and Operator of Lost Creek Outfitters, personal communication,
November 5, 2017

Kay L., (2006). Could This Beetle Help Control Salt Cedar?. Ranch and Rural Living Magazine.
Retrieved from Tarleton Database.

Lamberton M. L., (2011). The Thirsty Tree Confronting Invasive Salt Cedar in the American
Southwest. Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments. Retrieved from
https://www.terrain.org/articles/27/lamberton.htm

Monica E. McGarrity Aquatic Invasive Species Team Leader Inland Fisheries Division, Habitat
Conservation Branch of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, personal communication,
October 20, 2017

Non-Native Invasive Freshwater Plants. Non-Native Invasive Freshwater Plants - Salt Cedar
(Tamarix) - Technical Information,
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua013.html.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Aquatic Invasive. Fighting Aquatic Invaders,
tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/aquatic-invasives/saltcedar-upperbrazos.phtml.

14
 Index

Brush p. 5, 7, 12 plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also

including grasses, herbs, and geophytes

Cottonwood p. 5 any of several poplars having seeds with cottony hairs

Drift p. 10 the average direction of the wind

Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos p. 4, 5, 8,1 0, 11, 13 Branch of the Brazos river that run
through parts of west Texas, this river runs through property owned by Smith Ranch &
Deer Lease

Entomology p. 9 The study of insects

Home Place p. 5, 9, 10, 13 area of land owned by Smith Ranch & Deer Lease

Jump p. 6, 7 in reference to a wild fires ability to cross a river using overgrowth on each bank

Photosynthesis p. 9 the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight
to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water

Mesquite p. 5, 6, 8 a spiny tree or shrub of the pea family, native to arid regions of
southwestern US and Mexico

North Pasture p. 5, 9, 10, 13 Area of land owned by Smith Ranch & Deer Lease

Thickets p. 5, 7 a dense group of bushes or trees

Uzbekistan p. 9 a Central Asian nation and former Soviet Republic

Weed Control Program p. 4, 10, 11, 12, 13 A follow treatment for an area that has been
sprayed for salt cedar, used to prevent weeds and salt cedar from being the first plants to
return after spraying

15
Notes

16