Salt Injury on Ornamentals

A Technical Report from The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

Salt (sodium chloride) applied as a deicing agent on streets and sidewalks can cause severe damage to many species of roadside and lawn-planted woody ornamentals. Damage results when salt, dissolved in runoff water, is leached into the root zone or when it comes in contact with foliage and branches in the form of spray created by passing vehicular traffic. Naturally occurring saltwater and heavy applications of low-grade agricultural fertilizers having high salt indices can cause severe injury in the same manner as deicing salts.