Studies of Salt-Induced Damage to Roadside Plants in Ontario

Abstract

"Salt applied to highways runs off into streams increasing their salt content during the winter and penetrates the soil resulting in elevated levels of Na and Cl within 30 m of the highway. The salt that is most damaging to vegetation is that which is carried onto trees and shrubs as wind-borne spray: Evergreens are very sensitive, as can be seen when needles turn brown in early spring. Buds and twigs are killed on deciduous trees, flower buds being the more sensitive. Injury can be reduced by planting tolerant species in salt spray areas."