Tamarix

Yes, tamarix, aka Salt Cedar. Beware.

you could cut it nearly to the ground ... say 6 inches... and it will be a nice shrub again ...

but you will have to do that every few years ...

i wonder what is to beware about it ... other than its potential monstrous size??? it does not seed in my MI z5 ..

ken

I'm not sure what the beware means either garystpaul? It hasn't caused us any issues these 3 years we've lived in the house. I may take the suggestion of cutting it back because it is very tall. Didn't realize it was supposed to be a shrub.

The risk is that various species of Tamarix are incredibly invasive and hardy trees that invade and take over wetlands in North America... the seeds are airborne, so you may not have them growing all over your yard, but they may be carried far away.
At one time, they were thought only to be a huge problem in waterways all through the desert southwest, but now are known to have the same capability as far north as through Montana.

Here is a link that might be useful: Tamarix in Montana