Tree ID question

[Dennis Ford]

I am doing some work in South Texas and found this tree in Crystal City, it is not available to cut down (too bad because it is covered with burls). Anyway, it is big for the area ( 2ft + in diameter) and I have not seen one like this before. The bark resembles willow and the tree shape is similiar to some willows but its "leaves" look more like pine needles although they alternate off the twigs like leaves instead of in bunches like pine needles. I took a twig and scanned it on the hotel scanner (file attached). Anyone know what this is?

[Jerry Marcantel]

Uneducated guess, but looks like Tamarisk, or Salt Cedar. I didn't think they grew there. Is there a lot of tiny shoots growing around the burls..... There are a lot of SC here in Arizona, and are considered weeds. The wood is turnable....... Jerry (in Tucson)

[Dennis Ford]

Thanks Jerry; I think you are correct. Salt Cedar did not enter my mind (I have only seen it in shrub size before).