Tamarix aphylla aka Athel Tamarisk

Tamarix aphylla, or athel tamarisk, belongs to the Tamaricaceae family. Its native range runs from the Sahara to India. It grows in dry parts of Africa and western Asia. Wild trees occupy desert wadis, dunes, and salty coastal scrub. They also grow beside rivers and canals. This tree suits warm, dry climates and tolerates salt.

Trees usually reach 26–39 feet (8–12 metres) tall. Some reach about 59 feet (18 metres). The upright trunk supports thick limbs and a broad crown. Thin twigs hang down from the branches. Tiny, gray-green leaves clasp the slender, jointed stems. They look like scales rather than broad leaves. Most sources describe evergreen foliage, though Plants For A Future calls it deciduous. Young bark is smooth, gray or reddish brown. Old trunks develop deep grooves and coarse ridges.

Small flowers form narrow clusters at the tips of twigs. Their colors range from white through pink to lavender. Virginia Tech places flowering in spring and summer. Plants For A Future gives July as the flowering month. Bees and other insects visit the flowers. Each flower has both male and female parts. Small, pointed, dry capsules ripen in late summer. They hold many seeds with cotton-like hairs. Oregon State reports that many seeds are sterile.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam, and heavy clay. It also tolerates poor, alkaline, and saline soils. A deep taproot helps it withstand drought. Coastal trees cope with dry soil and salt winds. Inland trees may need moister soil and shelter from cold winds. Sources place it in USDA zones 7–10, though Oregon State specifies zone 8. Frost can harm young shoots. Seeds and cuttings provide ways to raise new plants.

Gardeners use athel tamarisk for hedges, screens, and coastal shelter. It also serves as a street tree and ornamental. Its wood provides fuel, and its galls contain tannins. A sweet substance on twigs can flavor porridge or drinks. The bark and galls have recorded astringent uses. Sources list no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Escaped trees can invade wet ground and crowd out native plants. They can also lower water tables and disrupt water flow. Useful Tropical Plants reports its conservation status as Least Concern.