Taking on the Tamarisk – SCC/Four Corners

Tackling the tamarisk  

For the past three weeks, the vivacious and determined chainsaw crew has enlisted in the daunting yet extremely important battle against the invasive exotic species, tamarisk.  Tamarisks form thick stands and consume enormous amounts of water, stressing native vegetation by lowering the water table and increasing the likelihood of fires.  Further, the stems and leaves of tamarisks secrete salt, which increases the salinity of the soil, inhibiting the growth of native plants.  For these reasons, our environmentally conscious crew was anxious (okay, that was an exaggeration) to put in a couple weeks killing this salty, water-greedy, native-plant-killer.

While cutting tamarisk is clearly not as glamorous as cutting large ponderosa pines, the creative maneuvering involved in accessing these sneaky tamarisks (which are usually hiding in rocky crevices at the bottoms of beautiful canyons) certainly made the past three weeks exciting and enjoyable.  Shimmying across precarious ladders, passing chainsaws, jugs of herbicide, dolmars and backpacks up and down steep embankments, and getting whipped in the face with tamarisk branches (which drew blood from every crew member) . . . the compatibility, resilience and productivity of this crew never ceases to amaze me.

Our skilled and, um, fearless climbers, Justin and Matt, constantly scouted possible routes in and out of deep, rocky canyons (and, to our amusement, both had spectacular falls into the river).  Our personal gourmet chef, Margaret, doesn’t think twice about hauling two chainsaws, a backpack and a jug of herbicide up a steep hill – by herself!  Diligent and attentive Andrew is constantly keeping my absent-mindedness and terrible sense of direction in check (whew, thank you!).  Laura’s quirky personality, her physical strength and her propensity for ripping holes in her pants makes her, well, indispensable.  And, though she may be in her own time zone, Meg’s indomitable spirit and genuine excitement is truly contagious.  Frankly folks, I’ve never been surrounded by so much constant laughter.  Between Laura’s wacky stories, Margaret’s strange love of goats and Dorian’s ever-appreciated and soon-to-be-missed sarcasm, working with this crew has truly been a pleasure.  Thanks, guys!    

Sarah