Question:
How can I prevent damage to trees and shrubs from deicing salts?Answer:
Homeowners can minimize salt damage by using deicing salts prudently. Before applying salt, wait until the precipitation has ended and remove as much of the ice and snow as possible. Use deicing salts at rates sufficient to loosen ice and snow from driveways and sidewalks, then remove the loosened ice and snow with a shovel. (Deicing salts need to be applied at much higher rates to completely melt ice and snow.) Mix salt with abrasive materials, such as sand or kitty litter. Fifty pounds of sand mixed with one pound of salt works effectively. Avoid piling salt-laden snow and ice around trees and shrubs. While the amount of salt applied to major roadways can not be controlled, steps can be taken to minimize damage.
As soon as the ground thaws in early spring, heavily water areas where salt accumulates over winter. A thorough soaking should help flush the salt from the root zone of plants. If possible, alter the drainage pattern so winter run-off drains away from ornamental plants. When planting trees near major streets or highways, select salt tolerant tree species.
Salt Tolerant Trees & Shrubs
- bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)
- northern red oak (Quercus rubra)
- honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
- northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa)
- Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
- horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
- mugo pine (Pinus mugo)
- eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- juniper (Juniperus spp.)
- hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
- Siberia peashrub (Caragana arborescens)
- summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
- shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa)
- staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
- rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa)
- Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
- black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
- white oak (Quercus alba)
Salt Tolerant Herbaceous Perennials
- blanket flower (Gaillardia)
- daylily (Hemerocallis spp.)
- feather reed grass (Calamagrostis acutiflora)
- yarrow (Achillea spp.)
- sea thrift (Armeria maritima)
- tall stonecrop (Hylotelephium spectablie)
- columbine (Aquilegia spp)
- catmint (Nepeta spp.)
- butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
- Russian sage (Salvia yangii syn. Perovskia atriplicifolia)
- cranesbill (Geranium spp.)
Learn more in this article: Using Deicing Salts in the Home Landscape.