Occurs naturally in soils with a high salinity (as much as 3000 ppm), and is remarkably tolerant of high temperatures. Its distribution extends from the Altai mountains (45°N) to the equator, implying a high degree of adaptability to a very wide range of conditions.
A good fodder tree (green leaf protein - 11.2%, digestibility - 67.1%) and an easy to saw wood, which works to a good finish. It is a good turnery wood and can be peeled on a rotary cutter, making it ideal for plywood. It is a good pulp wood which coppices readily.
Spreads from root suckers and does not propagate well from cuttings.