Help identifying a shrub with feathery branches & little

[newWIgardener]

I need help identifying a shrub that was in my garden when I moved in.* It's about 7 ft tall, and has feathery greenery & long tendrils that contain bunches of little pink flowers.* I want to find out what it is so I can learn how to take care of it!

Here are some photos that I took:

http://flickr.com/photos/emilyhodge/2834136214/
http://flickr.com/photos/emilyhodge/2833294875/
http://flickr.com/photos/emilyhodge/2834128694/

Thanks!* :)

[Newt]

Hi NewWIgardener,

Congratulations on your new home!* Your shrub appears to be Tamarix ramosissima aka salt cedar.
http://www.robsplants.com/plants/TamarRamos.php

I know it's a lovely plant, but it's listed as an invasive species by 46 states. You can scroll down about a third of the page here to 'TARA'.
http://plants.usda.gov/java/invasive...e&format=Print

From this site where it is actually #10:
http://www.weedcenter.org/inv_plant_info/impacts.html

1. Zavaleta, Erika. 2000. Valuing Ecosystem Service Lost to Tamarix Invasion in the United States. Invasive Species in a Changing World. Island Press, Washington D.C.[/*]
   • Three federally listed and one candidate for federal listing suffer clear, quantifiable negative impacts from Tamarix invasion (p. 278).
     • The southwestern willow flycatcher suffers displacement of riparian forest habitat due to Tamarix[/*]
     • The bald eagle suffers loss of roosting and nesting sites due to Tamarix[/*]
     • The whooping crane suffers encroachment of Tamarix into marsh habitat[/*]
     • The peninsula bighorn sheep suffers drying of desert springs due to Tamarix[/*]
     [/*]
   • Bird densities, diversity and individual health are greatly reduced in Tamarix stands compared to native vegetation.
     • Total avian abundances in Tamarix on the lower Colorado River range seasonally from 39% to 59% of those found in native willow, cottonwood, and mesquite habitats.[/*]
     • Willow flycatchers, of which the southwestern subspecies is federally endangered, were found to be both more scarce and lower in individual body mass and fat stores in Tamarix stands than in cottonwood habitats on the Rio Grande.[/*]
     [/*]
   Newt

[newWIgardener]

Thanks, Newt!* I talked with a local nursery about the salt cedar, and it gets too cold in my area to allow the salt cedar to reproduce, but the water issue is still something I need to keep in mind.* My plants near the salt cedar did ok this year, so I might cut it back this Fall and then see how my garden does next spring.* I'll remove the salt cedar if it causes any problems for my other plants.* Thanks again!!

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* Glad to read that you checked out the invasiveness of this plant,* Hopefully the person at your local nursery is correct, but unless the person at your local nursery is a botanist or environmentalist, I would suggest you check with your local extension service, the United States Department of Agriculture or the Department of Natural Resources to find out if it's truly not invasive in your area.*

Newt