Saltcedar growing in an arid, grassy environment along a sandy path.December Weed of the Month: Saltcedar
Minnesota DNR
In January, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) added saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List. Saltcedar was originally introduced in the 1800s to the western United States. It has been planted as a landscape plant, a windbreak, and for erosion prevention, but has not been widely utilized in Minnesota. Saltcedar’s native range is western Europe, the Mediterranean, and temperate Asia.
Saltcedar is a long-lived deciduous shrub or small tree. It has scale-like leaves that resemble the needles of juniper or cedar. Flowers are pink and occur in clusters along the branches. It has deep roots that extend to the water table. Saltcedar is also tolerant of drought, salt, and prefers full sun.
Saltcedar has naturalized along floodplains, riverbanks, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Where it is prevalent, saltcedar has many negative impacts on native plants and wildlife species. Its high seed production and rapid growth rate can quickly displace native plant species, especially in areas of high salinity or in areas with low water tables. As its common name suggests, the leaves of saltcedar are covered in salt. When the leaves drop, the salt covered leaves collect on the soil surface and salinity of the soil increases. This further leads to a lack of germination of native species.
Saltcedar also has environmental effects on ecosystems, most notably riparian or wetland areas. The roots of saltcedar bind gravel together, leading to erosion issues and an increased likelihood of flooding. The leaf litter and foliage of saltcedar is flammable, which encourages further spread of wildfires. Fire decreases native plant vegetation. Saltcedar seedlings resprout readily following fire, further encouraging their spread. The main taproot of saltcedar extends deep to the water table, and while actively growing, a single plant can use up to 200 gallons of water. Sites invaded by saltcedar typically become much drier and stream flows are reduced. Saltcedar may have recreation impacts as well, especially in riparian areas.
Saltcedar is a Restricted species on the Noxious Weed List. Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. Although Restricted Noxious Weeds are not required to be controlled or eradicated by law, landowners are strongly encouraged to manage these invasive plants on their properties to reduce spread into new areas.
Collect and sell black spruce cone in northern Minnesota to the State Forest Nursery
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery is looking for people to collect black spruce cones this winter in northern Minnesota. The seeds found inside the cones are needed to reforest nearly 3,000 acres of black spruce forest each year.
“Over the last few years, the number of collectors has decreased and we are in critical need of black spruce cones” said Sarah Ebert, State Forest Nursery manager. “We pay people $100 per bushel, which is about nine gallons of cones. Collecting black spruce now is a great way to earn some cash before the holidays.”
People interested in collecting black spruce cones should first contact one of the DNR’s seed drop-off stations to get information and instructions on collecting, handling and labeling the cones. The DNR Forestry seed drop-off stations that are buying black spruce cones are: Baudette, Bemidji, Cloquet, Deer River, Hibbing, Littlefork, Orr, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad, and the Minnesota State Forest Nursery (near Akeley). Visit the DNR’s seed and cone collection webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery/cone-seed-collection.html) for drop-off location addresses and phone numbers.
Only high-quality, ripe, closed black spruce cones free of stems and debris are eligible for purchase. Colorado blue, white, or Norway spruce cones are not accepted. The window to collect and sell viable black spruce cones is open now through February 2024.
If people are not sure where to find cones, a DNR forester from a drop-off station can provide advice.
To learn more, visit the DNR’s seed and cone collection webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery/cone-seed-collection.html).
Online Applications Now Open for Minnesota’s 2024 Industrial Hemp Program
These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only
Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2024. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required for individuals and businesses.
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, and a license is valid for the 2024 calendar year.
The application can be found on the MDA website. Along with the online form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only. The hemp grower or processor application is not for the growth or sale of adult-use or medical cannabis. The application is also not intended for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Adult-use cannabis information can be found on the Office of Cannabis Management website. Information related to medical cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoid products can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Growers and processors need to be aware of the following for 2024:
All authorized representatives designated by the applicant must pass a criminal history background check prior to the issuance of a license.
Every lot of hemp grown requires pre-harvest THC regulatory testing. Each official regulatory sample collected by the MDA will cost $100.
The MDA licenses processors that handle raw hemp and initially process it by extraction, decortication, devitalization, crushing or packaging, and the department will continue random inspections of processor locations.
License fees will remain the same. The minimum cost of a grower license is $400. A processing license is a minimum of $500.
While the deadline to apply or renew is April 30, 2024, those actively growing hemp plants indoors past December 31, 2023, must renew their license before expiration at the end of the year.
Questions about the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Program should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6600.
Minnesota DNR
In January, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) added saltcedar (Tamarix ramosissima) to the Minnesota Noxious Weed List. Saltcedar was originally introduced in the 1800s to the western United States. It has been planted as a landscape plant, a windbreak, and for erosion prevention, but has not been widely utilized in Minnesota. Saltcedar’s native range is western Europe, the Mediterranean, and temperate Asia.
Saltcedar is a long-lived deciduous shrub or small tree. It has scale-like leaves that resemble the needles of juniper or cedar. Flowers are pink and occur in clusters along the branches. It has deep roots that extend to the water table. Saltcedar is also tolerant of drought, salt, and prefers full sun.
Saltcedar has naturalized along floodplains, riverbanks, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Where it is prevalent, saltcedar has many negative impacts on native plants and wildlife species. Its high seed production and rapid growth rate can quickly displace native plant species, especially in areas of high salinity or in areas with low water tables. As its common name suggests, the leaves of saltcedar are covered in salt. When the leaves drop, the salt covered leaves collect on the soil surface and salinity of the soil increases. This further leads to a lack of germination of native species.
Saltcedar also has environmental effects on ecosystems, most notably riparian or wetland areas. The roots of saltcedar bind gravel together, leading to erosion issues and an increased likelihood of flooding. The leaf litter and foliage of saltcedar is flammable, which encourages further spread of wildfires. Fire decreases native plant vegetation. Saltcedar seedlings resprout readily following fire, further encouraging their spread. The main taproot of saltcedar extends deep to the water table, and while actively growing, a single plant can use up to 200 gallons of water. Sites invaded by saltcedar typically become much drier and stream flows are reduced. Saltcedar may have recreation impacts as well, especially in riparian areas.
Saltcedar is a Restricted species on the Noxious Weed List. Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. Although Restricted Noxious Weeds are not required to be controlled or eradicated by law, landowners are strongly encouraged to manage these invasive plants on their properties to reduce spread into new areas.
Collect and sell black spruce cone in northern Minnesota to the State Forest Nursery
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources State Forest Nursery is looking for people to collect black spruce cones this winter in northern Minnesota. The seeds found inside the cones are needed to reforest nearly 3,000 acres of black spruce forest each year.
“Over the last few years, the number of collectors has decreased and we are in critical need of black spruce cones” said Sarah Ebert, State Forest Nursery manager. “We pay people $100 per bushel, which is about nine gallons of cones. Collecting black spruce now is a great way to earn some cash before the holidays.”
People interested in collecting black spruce cones should first contact one of the DNR’s seed drop-off stations to get information and instructions on collecting, handling and labeling the cones. The DNR Forestry seed drop-off stations that are buying black spruce cones are: Baudette, Bemidji, Cloquet, Deer River, Hibbing, Littlefork, Orr, Tower, Two Harbors, Warroad, and the Minnesota State Forest Nursery (near Akeley). Visit the DNR’s seed and cone collection webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery/cone-seed-collection.html) for drop-off location addresses and phone numbers.
Only high-quality, ripe, closed black spruce cones free of stems and debris are eligible for purchase. Colorado blue, white, or Norway spruce cones are not accepted. The window to collect and sell viable black spruce cones is open now through February 2024.
If people are not sure where to find cones, a DNR forester from a drop-off station can provide advice.
To learn more, visit the DNR’s seed and cone collection webpage (mndnr.gov/forestry/nursery/cone-seed-collection.html).
Online Applications Now Open for Minnesota’s 2024 Industrial Hemp Program
These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only
Online applications are now open for anyone wishing to grow or process hemp in Minnesota in 2024. A license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is required for individuals and businesses.
Applications must be submitted by April 30, 2024, and a license is valid for the 2024 calendar year.
The application can be found on the MDA website. Along with the online form, first-time applicants and authorized representatives need to submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. These licenses are for growing and processing industrial hemp only. The hemp grower or processor application is not for the growth or sale of adult-use or medical cannabis. The application is also not intended for the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Adult-use cannabis information can be found on the Office of Cannabis Management website. Information related to medical cannabis and hemp-derived cannabinoid products can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health website.
Growers and processors need to be aware of the following for 2024:
All authorized representatives designated by the applicant must pass a criminal history background check prior to the issuance of a license.
Every lot of hemp grown requires pre-harvest THC regulatory testing. Each official regulatory sample collected by the MDA will cost $100.
The MDA licenses processors that handle raw hemp and initially process it by extraction, decortication, devitalization, crushing or packaging, and the department will continue random inspections of processor locations.
License fees will remain the same. The minimum cost of a grower license is $400. A processing license is a minimum of $500.
While the deadline to apply or renew is April 30, 2024, those actively growing hemp plants indoors past December 31, 2023, must renew their license before expiration at the end of the year.
Questions about the MDA’s Industrial Hemp Program should be sent to hemp.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6600.