Athel pine (Tamarix aphylla)

Also known as: athel tree

Athel pine is a tall, spreading, invasive tree. It is a Weed of National Significance.

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How does this weed affect you?

Athel pine is one of the worst weeds in Australia because of its invasiveness, potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.

Athel pine forms dense stands along inland rivers. It consumes water more quickly than native plants, thereby reducing the number and quality of watering holes. It concentrates salt, which is excreted by its leaves. This makes the ground beneath athel pines more salty and excludes native pasture grasses and other salt-sensitive plants.

It can change river flow patterns and cause overland flooding and bank erosion.

Because they are drought tolerant and fire resistant, athel pines decrease the frequency of fires and alter vegetation structure.

Infestations reduce the cultural and aesthetic value of affected land and may impact on tourism in the region.

There are several other Tamarix species, all commonly known as tamarisks, that are weeds in Australia.

Where is it found?

Athel pine is classified as a ‘sleeper’ weed because it was present in Australia for some time before it became weedy. A native of northern Africa and Asia, it was first introduced into Whyalla, South Australia, in 1930 via California. Since then it has been extensively planted as shade and wind breaks and for erosion control around rural South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and the Barkly Tablelands and Alice Springs regions of the Northern Territory.

The worst infestations of athel pine occur along 600 km of the Finke River in Central Australia near Alice Springs. The explosion in its abundance and range is thought to have been caused by large floods in the 1970s and 1980s, which washed seeds and vegetation downstream and provided the moist conditions required for germination.

Other athel pine outbreaks have occurred throughout inland Australia since the 1990s at Starvation Lake and Tilcha Flow (SA), Burnett and Darling Downs regions (Qld) and Menindie Lakes (NSW). Infestations on the Gascoyne and Avon Rivers (WA) have recently been shown to include both athel pine (Tamarix aphylla) and another weedy tamarisk species Tamarix parviflora.

Based on climate, athel pine could potentially infest inland watercourses throughout Australia. A few infestations exist outside of the projected distribution, perhaps surviving on below-ground water resources.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Athel pine during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2024)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

How does it spread?

Athel pine can reproduce by dropping seeds or, more commonly, by revegetation of plant parts. Although athel pine seeds die quickly if not kept moist, they are easily dispersed by both wind and water and may also be spread by animals. A single tree can produce thousands of seeds every year. Its habit of making nearby soil saltier may be assisting its expansion because it thrives in saline conditions.

What does it look like?

Athel pine is a spreading tree to 15 m with pendulous, jointed branches. Immature trees have light grey trunks and stems. Mature trees have a thick, rough, dark grey to black bark, and grey-brown stems, and can be up to 1 m in diameter. The minute, dull green leaves superficially resemble pine tree ‘needles’. However, athel pine is misleadingly named as it is a flowering plant, not closely related to true pine trees (conifers). Its small flowers are pinkish-white without stalks, growing on 30–40 mm long spikes from the ends of the previous year’s branches. The fruit is bell shaped with a hairy tuft, and contains numerous small cylindrical seeds. The seeds have a tuft of fine hairs which assists wind dispersal. The trees have strong woody roots which penetrate and spread deeply throughout the soil.

Do not confuse athel pine with native she-oaks

Athel pines resemble native she-oaks (Casuarina and Allocasuarina species), which are found in similar locations. Although both have needle-like ‘leaves’, they may be distinguished by careful examination of the needles and fruit. The segments of she-oak needles are 5–10 mm long, whereas the segments on athel pine needles are only 1–2 mm long. The hard, woody she-oak fruit resembles a small pine cone, whereas athel pine fruit is tiny and bell shaped. Additionally, athel pine flowers (white–pink, growing at the end of stems) are conspicuous during the summer.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Athel pine is drought resistant and is well suited to arid and semi-arid rangelands. It is tolerant of saline and alkaline soils and, although it flourishes best in and around rivers, is not restricted to the riverine environment. It has escaped cultivation and become naturalised in all mainland states and territories except Victoria.

Acknowledgements

John Gavin (NT DIPE), Richard Carter (NSW Dept of Agriculture/Weeds CRC), Philip Maher (Qld DNRM), Damian Collopy, John Peirce and John Stretch (WA Dept of Agriculture), Les Tanner (North West Weeds County Council) and John Thorp (National Weeds Management Facilitator).

References

CRC for Australian Weed Management (2003). Weed Management Guide: Athel pine or Tamarisk. CRC for Australian Weed Management, Adelaide, South Australia.

More information

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Control

Preventing the further spread of athel pine is critical to the successful management of this problem. As part of the prevention of spread measures, the planting of athel pine for windbreaks, shade or erosion control is now actively discouraged. Weedy Tamarix species should not be imported or further planted, and alternative species should be used. Generally, a native Casuarina or Allocasuarina species will make a good alternative, especially for windbreaks. However, local council weed officers will provide advice.

Control athel pine near rivers

Athel pine in the upper catchments of rivers are the highest priority for control. Experience indicates that athel pine spreads fastest along waterways, especially when summer flooding aids the downstream dispersal of vegetative material and germination of seeds. Therefore, mature athel pines in the uppermost parts of catchments are the highest priority for eradication. Control can then focus on downstream infestations. The lowest priority for control are mature trees away from water.

Early control efforts

Athel pine was not formally recognised as a weed in Australia until the late 1980s when control attempts first examined its susceptibility to different herbicides and different application techniques. In the mid 1990s mechanical control was attempted on the Finke River, and since then integrated control methods using both mechanical and chemical means have been used to combat the spread of athel pine.

Remove seedlings by hand and mature trees mechanically

Seedlings can be easily removed by hand in sandy ground, and large trees can be removed by ripping and bulldozing, taking care to remove as much of the root system as possible. A large bulldozer is required if the trees are fully grown. If possible the area should be deep ripped to bring any root material to the surface and, where appropriate, a suitable pasture should be sown to outcompete any regrowth of athel pine. Otherwise, care shouldbe taken to reduce the amount of soil covering felled stems and exposed roots as they may re-shoot. Follow-up treatments will be required as some re-shooting is likely. Permits may be required to conduct mechanical control if native species will be affected. 

Herbicides may be better suited where erosion is a problem

Herbicides may be used as part of the follow-up to initial mechanical control, and are preferred in sensitive environments (eg riverbanks) where mechanical control may damage non-target species and cause erosion and habitat loss. Herbicide control generally entails treating each stem separately. Registered herbicides can be applied in several different ways. Frilling, where small notches are cut into the bark until the white sapwood is reached and herbicide is injected immediately into the notches, has been used successfully in the Carnarvon area. There should be about 50 mm between notches, and drenching guns or veterinary syringes can be used to deliver herbicide into each notch. An alternative approach with larger stems is the cut-stump technique, where the main stem is cut off by chainsaw and the stump is immediately painted with herbicide. Care should be taken to reach as close to the roots as possible.

Smaller trees that have not developed rough bark can be treated by the basal bark technique, which involves soaking the circumference of the stem, to a height of 250 mm above soil level, with herbicide to the point of run-off. Very small stems can be snapped or cut, and herbicide applied to the stem. Foliar spray over the entire plant is effective on small trees (less than 2 m). However, the impacts on non-target species (both natives and crops) prevent this method being used in the Carnarvon area.

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 200 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 35 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock feed for 7 days after application. See label for further information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Fluroxypyr 333 g/L (Starane™ Advanced)
Rate: 21 mL per L diesel/kerosene
Comments: Basal bark
Withholding period: Do not graze failed crops and treated pastures or cut for stock food for 7 days after application. See label for more information.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: One part product to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump, drill, frill axe or injection
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L with Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 1:1.5 (ratio glyphosate to water) plus 1 g metsulfuron to 1 L water
Comments: Stem injection
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibition on certain dealings Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale.
Central West	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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Reviewed 2024