Desert Messenger

Keep Quartzsite Clean and Beautiful As snowbirds return home to their favorite winter nests, the Desert Messenger wishes to remind everyone not to put their trimmings/ brush in the washes. Please dispose responsibly, anytime, at the Town's chipper yard, near the transfer station on Hwy. 95, 1/2 + mile north of the Firestation. THE TRANSFER STATION IS OPEN STARTING OCT. 1: SUN. - WED. 7:30AM-2:30PM. Also please remember coyotes are wild animals... please don't feed the wildlife! September 15, 2021 www.DesertMessenger.com 9 Gardening with Dennis - Tamarisk Salt Cedar So happy to be able to communi- cate with our Desert Messenger Pa- trons. So happy that Rain is back at what she does so well for our unique community. Things you might not know about your local Salvation Army: We are both a Thrift Store and a Service Center. Thrift Store for a fun shopping adventure is on Summer Hours; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thurs- day 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. We can do curbside sales before and af- ter hours for specifi c wanted item, such as coffee pot stops working, crock pot crashes and company is coming, etc. Service Center is for urgent assis- tance with a phone call. You have a need for crutches, walker, wheel- chair, or other basic medical equip- ment. We respond with local police, fi re, and other agencies for emer- gency assistance as requested. We have many resources to lend a hand up to our community members in need of our support. We have a year-round availability of school supplies and backpacks for our school aged children. Because we have been blessed with monetary gifts, as well as donated supplies, we are now including Pre-School to 12th Graders. We purchased many items as well and received 100 backpacks with some supplies from the greater Phoenix TSA collection drive. Thank you, Crystal, who went and picked them up for us. Face coverings are required with nose and mouth covered. We are also using the one camel six-foot safe social distancing. Hand sanitiz- By Alex Taft In the late spring, I had a question from a resident regarding tamarisk or salt cedar trees. He had one that was turning black and part of the tree had collapsed. He wanted to know if he should keep what was left or take out the whole tree. I re- searched the situation. As many of you are aware, the tam- arisk or salt cedar is considered an invasive species. It got this descrip- tion because it changes the land- scape around it sometimes to the detriment of the plants and animals. New species of plants are introduced into the landscape all the time. Many of the nurseries in the area sell plants and trees that are native to Australia but thrive here as well. The trees and plants are not considered invasive because the fl ora and fauna adapt to them. In the case of the tamarisk, most of them do not. Salt cedar or tamarisk growth adapts to the soil chemistry where other trees and plants struggle. Since tamarisk are drawn to plentiful water supplies, they thrive in riparian areas such as along rivers and washes. In Quartzsite there are a lot of them along Tyson Wash where it intersects Kuehn Road. As the trees age, they tend to turn black before they die giving the look of having survived a fi re. They do not have the artistic silhouettes that a palo verde or ironwood tree do as they slowly decline. Many of the older settled properties in town have tamarisks trees that have been in their yards for years and still look good. Not a lot grows around them and they tend to create their own neighbor- hoods consisting of several trees. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tam- arisk does alter habitat quality for some wildlife, impacts water levels and can impact fi re potentials. The USGS is studying how introduction of the tamarisk beetle which can kill the trees is affecting the ecosystem and the length of time it takes the native plants to return. Tamarisk can grow where others struggle, so when they die, that can affect soil erosion along rivers and washes. Balancing nature is tricky business. Any community whether it consists of trees, coyotes, snakes, cactus and lizards or a neighbor- hood suburb with sidewalks and fenced yards responds to change. Sometimes the change is welcome. Sometimes, not so much. Other than mature tamarisk trees in Ari- zona serving as nesting sites for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, it contributes little food or other ben- efi ts to native animals. In Arizona, because the tamarisk is home to the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher the state has not made a decision that other states have made. In New Mexico it is considered a noxious weed as it is in Montana, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Tamarisk invasions in the Grand Canyon are challenging native spe- cies and impacting recreation. A simple question whether to cut down a tree or not turned into a reason to research and then refl ect on offering advice. So my answer to the resident's question was to con- sider all this information and then decide. Landscape and gardens of- fer more perspective than a simple yes or no answer sometimes. That's the joy of it. I am sure Dennis would agree; I have listened to his lengthy and often circuitous answers, (with limited patience) much like the one above to the tamarisk tree owner and now relate to his penchant to wax philosophical and wade into the weeds so to speak in his responses. It is always interesting. The Salvation Army happenings er is available around the store. We continue to sanitize carts/baskets, counters, as well as most donations. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our adult and child diaper pro- gram continues. We have new wheel- chairs and transport chairs for loan, thanks to Town of Quartzsite grant monies. Please ask for details. Donations continue to be received on our porch area. Yes, it is fi ne to bring clothing in on hangers if you like. We must take all items out of boxes and bags, and sort into our carts. Thanks for your patience and understanding that at times we get backed up at the smaller sorting area. Follow us on our Facebook Page for weekly sales and announce- ments. (Salvation Army Thrift Store, Quartzsite AZ.). Unique items we cur- rently have; unfi nished rag rug proj- ects, Quartzsite-opoly, like new ergo- nomic chair, collection of Pinkerton ceramics, lots of handmade jewelry, pincushions, windchimes, upcycled organizing bags, etc. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua, 1:9 Be happy! Lee-Ann Henle, Manager Quartzsite Salvation Army Thrift Store hours and days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM NOON Quartzsite Salvation Army Service Center 101 S. Moon Mountain Avenue 928-927-3636 store or 360-921-7571 cell

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