The Dangers of Salt Damage in Trees and Other Plants
The Dangers of Salt Damage in Trees and Other Plants
Salt Damage In Trees and Plants
Many Rhode Island homeowners have trees or other plants sitting near the road. These plants sit in the salt zone, or the area hit with the most salt thrown by snowplows and cars. Salt brine can damage your plants, causing burns on leaves and buds, which can kill them. Signs of salt damage in trees include branch dieback, bud death, and needle or leaf browning on the side of the plant facing the road. Symptoms in deciduous plants won’t be apparent until they bud in the spring. High enough concentrations of salt can affect the nutrients in your soil, leading to a decline in your plants. The chloride in road salt mixes with water and can be absorbed by the plant, affecting photosynthesis and chlorophyll production. Salt accumulation can reach toxic levels, causing leaf burn and dieback. Salt can also be thrown on our lawns and flower beds by snow shoveling and plowing the driveway. If left untreated, it can leave scorch marks in your grass, and nothing will be able to grow there.
A few of the Common Symptoms of Salt Injury Include:
- Browning or discoloration of foliage
- Bud damage or death
- Damage on the side facing the road
- Early leaf drop
- Fewer or smaller leaves than normal
- Flower and fruit smaller
- Needle or leaf burn
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Reduced plant vitality
- Branch dieback
- Wilting in summer
How To Protect Your Rhode Island Plants From Road Salt
Salt gets on our plants when it is thrown on them by plows and other means. One of the most important things you can do is rake your lawn in the spring, especially near the road and in snow piles. Not only will there be a large concentration of salt but also rocks and pebbles that can damage your lawnmower. Other ways to protect your landscape include:
Use A Tarp
This trick should be done before the first snowfall. Place plastic sheets or burlap around the base of your trees and ornamentals to cover the root zone. Remove the barrier in the spring and rake the area to get rid of any stray salt and loosen the soil.
Water, Water, and More Water
When the snow melts in the spring, the salt in the snow will seep into the soil. You can dilute the salt with water to wash it away. Just keep a garden hose or sprinkler on the area for a few hours a day over three days. This will ensure that all salt has been flushed away.
Designated Snow Pile
Salt accumulates on our lawn when we shovel and plow our driveway. Whether you plow your own driveway or have someone else do it for you, it’s a good idea to designate a snow pile area. This lets you control where salt will be concentrated so you know exactly where to rake in the spring.
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