Common Name: Kashgar Tree

General Information

Tamarix hispida is a deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing around 1.5 - 4 metres tall. Occasionally reaching 6 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It can be used in soil stabilization projects and is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge
Tamarix hispida is very widespread and there are no recorded threats to this species. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Central to eastern Asia - Iran and Kazakhstan, east to Mongolia and northern China

Habitat

River sides, lake basins, salty meadows and sand dunes in desert regions; at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tamarix hispida is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures falling as low as -20°c, but it is restricted to saline habitats.
An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[, ]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[], plants require a moister soil and shelter from cold drying winds when they are grown inland in non-saline soils because they use the soil salts that are found in saline soils to help them reduce transpiration[].
Not often seen in British gardens, probably because it needs more sun than it can get here. It is best tried on a sunny wall[, ].
Plants are not long-lived at Kew Gardens[]. They tend to live only 10 - 15 years in the wild[].
This species flowers on the current year's growth[]. Any pruning is best carried out in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[]. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning, sprouting freely from old wood[].
The flowers are produced on the current season's growth[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Tamarisk leaves are used as a home remedy for spleen complaints[].

An infusion of the branches is used as a treatment for rheumatism[].

The flowers are used in the treatment of jaundice[].

The bark serves as an astringent in cases of haemorrhage[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens.
Often planted on dunes and other sandy soils in order to stabilize them[].

Other Uses

Tamarix species are generally a good source of tannins, which are often used medicinally or in dyes etc. All parts of the plant can be used, the roots contain around 16 - 18% tannins, whilst the leaves contain 11 - 12%[].

The wood of Tamarix species is usually hard and firm, and is suitable for turning[].
The wood is waxy and can be used for fuel, burning well even when green[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very easy[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15 - 25cm long, planted outdoors in late autumn in a nursery bed or straight into their permanent position. High percentage[, ].